The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pushing the White House to repeal the 2009 “endangerment finding,” a decision that could dismantle federal efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
Maxine Joselow reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- The endangerment finding allows the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, forming the legal basis for emission limits on vehicles and power plants.
- Trump’s executive order requires the EPA to review the finding’s legality and relevance, with recommendations due to the White House budget office within 30 days.
- Environmental groups argue the repeal would contradict well-established climate science, while fossil fuel allies say it would help roll back emissions regulations.
Key quote:
"The proposition that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities don’t endanger public health and welfare is not a position that could be supported by the science or what EPA’s own record suggests."
— Sean Donahue, environmental attorney
Why this matters:
Revoking the endangerment finding would significantly weaken the federal government’s ability to tackle climate change. Without it, regulations targeting carbon emissions from cars, power plants, and industries could be dismantled, leading to higher pollution levels and exacerbating climate-related disasters such as extreme heat, stronger storms, and rising sea levels.
The move aligns with longstanding efforts by fossil fuel interests and conservative policymakers to roll back environmental regulations, arguing that they impose economic burdens. However, it would likely face fierce legal and scientific opposition, as the finding is backed by extensive research linking greenhouse gas emissions to climate change and public health risks.
