US President Donald Trump revoked a 2009 scientific finding that classified greenhouse gases as a threat to human health. The rule had served as the legal foundation for federal climate regulations affecting vehicles, power plants, and industry.
The White House described the move as the “largest deregulation in American history,” claiming it will cut vehicle costs by $2,400 and ease pressure on automakers. Environmental groups called it the most significant climate rollback to date and pledged to challenge it in court.
Trump targets Obama-era climate measures
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said the 2009 rule was “a disastrous policy that hurt the American auto industry and raised prices for consumers.” He labeled Democrats’ climate agenda a “radical scam” built on the regulation.
Former President Barack Obama argued the repeal will leave Americans less safe and less healthy. He said the move primarily benefits the fossil fuel industry at the public’s expense.
The endangerment finding’s role in US climate law
The Environmental Protection Agency first assessed greenhouse gases in 2009, identifying six major gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, as dangerous to human health. With Congress failing to pass climate legislation, the finding became central to federal regulatory efforts.
Meghan Greenfield, former EPA attorney, explained the rule governs emissions from vehicles, power plants, oil and gas production, landfills, and aircraft. “All standards across sectors 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 regulations had pushed manufacturing overseas to dirtier locations.
Environmental experts disputed the administration’s 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.
Implications for the auto industry
Automakers face uncertainty as producing less fuel-efficient vehicles could limit international sales. Climate law expert Michael Gerrard said the rollback enforces relaxed fuel economy standards but may hurt global demand for US cars.
Observers warned of unintended consequences. 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 lawsuits from states and nonprofits.
Scientific controversy
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 ruling. 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 prevent any future president from reversing this decision.”
