US President Donald Trump revoked a 2009 scientific finding that classified greenhouse gases as a danger to human health. The rule had formed the legal foundation for federal efforts to curb emissions from cars, power plants, and industry.
The White House called the action the “largest deregulation in American history,” claiming it will lower vehicle costs by $2,400 and reduce burdens on automakers. Environmental groups called it the most significant climate rollback yet and promised to challenge it in court.
Trump criticizes Obama-era policy
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said the 2009 finding was “a disastrous policy that hurt the American auto industry and increased costs for consumers.” He called Democrats’ climate agenda a “radical scam” built on the regulation.
Former President Barack Obama warned the repeal makes Americans less safe and less healthy. He said the move mainly benefits the fossil fuel industry at public expense.
How the endangerment finding shaped climate regulation
The Environmental Protection Agency first assessed greenhouse gases in 2009, declaring six major gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, a threat to human health. With Congress unable to pass climate legislation, the finding became central to federal regulatory efforts.
Meghan Greenfield, former EPA attorney, said the rule governs emissions from vehicles, power plants, oil and gas production, landfills, and aircraft. “All sector standards rely on this single determination,” she said.
Trump officials said the rollback could save over $1 trillion and lower energy and transport costs. They claimed automakers would save $2,400 per vehicle. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, formerly with the Department of Transportation, said the regulations had pushed manufacturing overseas to dirtier production sites.
Environmental advocates disputed the claims. Peter Zalzal from the Environmental Defense Fund said Americans could face $1.4 trillion in extra fuel costs, 58,000 additional premature deaths, and 37 million more asthma attacks.
Consequences for the auto industry
Automakers face uncertainty as producing less fuel-efficient cars could reduce international sales. Climate law expert Michael Gerrard said the rollback enforces relaxed fuel economy standards but may limit global demand for US vehicles.
Observers warned of unintended effects. The 2009 finding allowed federal authorities to block stricter state laws and climate-related nuisance lawsuits. Greenfield said the rule had prevented many cases and predicted new legal challenges from states and nonprofits.
Questions over scientific basis
The Department of Energy formed a panel last year challenging widely accepted science on greenhouse gas warming. That report guided the proposal to overturn the 2009 finding. Many experts criticized the panel as biased and unrepresentative.
A federal judge ruled the department violated the law in forming the panel. Legal analysts said the administration may seek a Supreme Court review. If successful, the repeal could become permanent, preventing future presidents from reinstating the rule without Congress.
Greenfield said, “The EPA is leaving this space entirely. A Supreme Court ruling would block any future president from reversing this decision.”
