This photo, taken on February 6, 2025, shows the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C. Getty Images
EPA Seeks to Cancel Key Climate Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a major move this week. It wants to cancel a rule from 2009 that helps fight climate change. This rule, called the “endangerment finding,” says that six greenhouse gases are dangerous. These gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, can harm people and the environment.
The EPA made the rule after studying hundreds of pages of research. The public also shared over 380,000 comments before the rule took effect.
EPA Chief Explains the Decision
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, appointed by Donald Trump, revealed the plan at an event in Indiana. He claimed the agency never had the legal right to label these gases as harmful. He also said the science behind the rule was wrong. “The predictions made back then didn’t turn out to be true,” Zeldin said.
He spoke alongside Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Zeldin called the plan “the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history.”
Legal History Behind the Rule
This 2009 rule exists because of a major court case from 2007. In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court said the EPA could treat greenhouse gases like other air pollutants. That ruling allowed the EPA to control emissions from cars and power plants.
Zeldin said Congress never gave the EPA permission to do that. He believes only lawmakers can give the EPA power to regulate greenhouse gases.
EPA May Cancel More Rules
Zeldin said the EPA would also stop rules on vehicle emissions. That includes light, medium, and heavy-duty cars and trucks. He believes this would save about $54 billion every year. But these rules had a big impact. One rule alone could have saved drivers $6,000 on fuel and repair costs over a car’s lifetime.
Critics Say the Move Is Dangerous
Many people strongly oppose the change. Environmental groups say it ignores science and puts public health at risk. Loren Blackford from the Sierra Club said the Trump administration is now making climate denial official U.S. policy.
Lawyers and experts also warned about the legal consequences. Mike Gerrard, an expert in environmental law, said lawsuits will happen quickly. He expects the case will go to the Supreme Court. He said the new court may not protect climate rules like the one in 2007 did.
Studies Show Climate Risk Is Real
Recent research continues to show how dangerous greenhouse gases are. A study from 2021 said climate change caused 37% of heat-related deaths from 1991 to 2018. A recent national report said climate change is already making life harder for American families, homes, and businesses.
What Happens Next
The public will soon be allowed to give feedback. Legal battles may also delay the rule’s removal. So far, courts have rejected all past efforts to cancel the rule.
