Donald Trump has formally reversed a landmark 2009 climate determination that has served as the legal backbone of federal greenhouse gas regulation for more than a decade. The decision dismantles the “endangerment finding” introduced during the administration of Barack Obama, a ruling that concluded greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare.
The finding, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), identified six planet-warming gases including carbon dioxide and methane as dangerous pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Because Congress failed to pass comprehensive climate legislation at the time, the determination became the central legal authority enabling federal agencies to regulate emissions from motor vehicles, power plants, oil and gas operations, landfills and even aircraft.
Announcing the repeal in the Oval Office, Trump described the original ruling as a “disastrous Obama-era policy” that damaged the American auto industry and drove up consumer prices. He argued that overturning it would reduce regulatory burdens, lower vehicle costs and strengthen domestic manufacturing. White House officials claimed the rollback represents the “largest deregulation in American history,” estimating savings of more than $1 trillion and a reduction of roughly $2,400 per vehicle for automakers.
The administration maintains that easing emissions standards will make cars more affordable and energy cheaper. However, environmental advocates strongly dispute those projections. Groups including the Environmental Defense Fund warn that weakening fuel efficiency standards could increase long-term fuel costs for consumers, potentially adding trillions in additional spending while raising pollution levels nationwide. Critics also cite health modelling suggesting the move could lead to tens of thousands of additional premature deaths and millions more asthma cases over time.
Legal experts emphasise that the endangerment finding has long functioned as the linchpin of US climate regulation. Its removal not only affects vehicle emissions rules but also undermines standards governing power generation, methane releases and industrial pollution. Some observers note that while the administration is seeking to limit federal authority, the repeal may open the door to fresh litigation at state level. Previously, the existence of the EPA’s finding helped block certain climate-related lawsuits by centralising regulatory authority at the federal level.
The rollback is also likely to generate uncertainty within the US auto industry. While relaxed standards may lower short-term compliance costs, less fuel-efficient vehicles could face weaker demand in international markets where stricter emissions regulations remain in place.
Central to the policy debate is the scientific basis of the original 2009 determination. A recent Department of Energy report questioning widely accepted climate science was used to support the reversal, though the panel behind it has faced criticism from climate experts who argue it was unrepresentative and misleading. A federal judge recently ruled that the formation of the advisory team violated legal procedures, adding another potential complication to the administration’s defence.
Many analysts believe the ultimate goal is to secure a ruling from the US Supreme Court that would permanently narrow or eliminate the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases under existing law. If upheld at that level, future administrations could be unable to reinstate similar climate protections without new legislation from Congress.
The decision marks one of the most consequential shifts in US environmental policy in recent decades, setting the stage for a prolonged political and legal battle over the federal government’s role in addressing climate change.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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