Trump's EPA revokes endangerment finding that enabled climate rules

The EPA under President Trump has repealed the 2009 endangerment finding that allowed limits on greenhouse-gas emissions; the agency says the change will save money, while environmental groups and some state officials have announced plans to challenge the rollback in court.

The Environmental Protection Agency under President Trump has revoked the 2009 endangerment finding that said greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. That legal determination had allowed the agency to set limits, reporting and tracking requirements for heat-trapping pollution from vehicles and other sources. The administration and the EPA presented the move as a large deregulatory act that will save money. Environmental groups, some state officials, and other critics have condemned the change and said they will pursue legal challenges. Key facts: - The agency revoked the 2009 endangerment finding that provided the legal basis to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions. - EPA and the administration said the repeal would reduce costs and framed it as a major deregulatory action. - The final rule removes federal authority to require tracking, reporting, and limits on vehicle greenhouse-gas emissions; transportation is identified as the largest U.S. source of such emissions. - Environmental advocates and some state leaders have announced plans to sue the EPA over the rollback; legal challenges are expected. - The rule does not immediately change regulations for stationary sources governed under a different Clean Air Act provision, but experts said the approach could be extended to those sources. Summary: The repeal removes a foundational legal basis for certain federal climate limits and changes how the EPA can regulate vehicle emissions. The agency cites cost savings, while critics say the change undermines public-health protections and have pledged court challenges. The timing and outcome of litigation and any further administrative steps are undetermined at this time.