WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is poised to revoke a significant scientific finding this week, which has served as a foundation for U.S. regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and efforts to combat climate change. A White House official disclosed that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will finalize a rule rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding. This Obama-era decision recognized that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose risks to public health and welfare.
In an announcement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump will take the most significant deregulatory actions in history aimed at boosting American energy interests and reducing costs. The endangerment finding has been used to justify climate-related regulations, including auto emission standards, responding to threats intensified by climate change such as severe flooding, heat waves, and natural disasters.
Legal opposition is anticipated regarding this repeal, with environmental advocates deeming it the most extensive assault on climate regulations to date. Critics argue that rolling back these findings will exacerbate climate pollution and elevate health care costs while potentially causing thousands of avoidable deaths.
The EPA, led by former Rep. Lee Zeldin, whose appointment by Trump was controversial, has been criticized for attempting to dismantle crucial regulatory measures. This comes after past efforts to legally challenge the validity of the endangerment finding have consistently failed in courts, including a recent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Experts warn that such a rollback would reflect ongoing Republican climate skepticism, contradicting the extensive scientific consensus on climate change's reality and seriousness.
In an announcement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump will take the most significant deregulatory actions in history aimed at boosting American energy interests and reducing costs. The endangerment finding has been used to justify climate-related regulations, including auto emission standards, responding to threats intensified by climate change such as severe flooding, heat waves, and natural disasters.
Legal opposition is anticipated regarding this repeal, with environmental advocates deeming it the most extensive assault on climate regulations to date. Critics argue that rolling back these findings will exacerbate climate pollution and elevate health care costs while potentially causing thousands of avoidable deaths.
The EPA, led by former Rep. Lee Zeldin, whose appointment by Trump was controversial, has been criticized for attempting to dismantle crucial regulatory measures. This comes after past efforts to legally challenge the validity of the endangerment finding have consistently failed in courts, including a recent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Experts warn that such a rollback would reflect ongoing Republican climate skepticism, contradicting the extensive scientific consensus on climate change's reality and seriousness.
