WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Monday it will finalize the most sweeping rollback of federal climate authority in U.S. history, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin calling the move to dismantle the agency's foundational climate powers "the largest act of deregulation in the history of the United States."
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Zeldin confirmed the Environmental Protection Agency will formally revoke the 2009 "endangerment finding," a scientific determination that concluded human-caused climate change poses a threat to public health and welfare. The finding has served as the legal cornerstone for all federal climate regulation since the Obama administration.
The endangerment finding has underpinned the EPA's authority to limit planet-warming pollution from the oil and gas industry, power plants, and vehicles for nearly two decades. Without it, the federal government would lose its most powerful tool to tackle climate pollution across major sectors of the American economy.
Sweeping Regulatory Rollback
The repeal represents the culmination of a broader Trump administration strategy to dismantle climate policies implemented under previous Democratic leadership. Along with eliminating the endangerment finding, the administration will also finalize the repeal of greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles that were designed to accelerate the transition to electric and hybrid vehicles.
Under former President Joe Biden, the EPA had sought to tighten vehicle emission standards to push the auto industry toward producing more fuel-efficient hybrids and electric vehicles. However, the industry has since scaled back many of those commitments as political winds shifted.
Environmental advocates and Democratic lawmakers immediately condemned the announcement, arguing it would undermine decades of scientific consensus and legal precedent while potentially exposing Americans to increased health risks from air pollution.
Legal and Political Implications
The 2009 endangerment finding was based on a comprehensive scientific review that found greenhouse gases "reasonably may be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare." The determination was made under the Clean Air Act and survived multiple legal challenges during previous Republican administrations.
States and regulated industries have challenged the scientific determination before, but the finding has never faced direct opposition from within the EPA itself until now. Legal experts suggest the move could trigger immediate court challenges from state attorneys general and environmental groups.
The timing of the announcement comes as climate science continues to document accelerating environmental changes worldwide, from rising sea levels to intensifying extreme weather events. The decision puts the United States at odds with international climate commitments and could complicate diplomatic relationships with allies focused on reducing global emissions.
Congressional Response
The rollback is occurring amid a broader political battle over federal immigration enforcement, with Congress facing a Friday deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Democratic lawmakers, already engaged in tense negotiations over ICE reform demands, now face additional pressure to respond to the climate policy reversal.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had not immediately commented on the EPA announcement, as his office remained focused on DHS funding negotiations. However, Democratic sources suggested the climate rollback could further complicate already strained talks between the parties.
The announcement also comes as European allies express growing concern about the Trump administration's approach to international cooperation. A new Munich Security Conference report released Monday described Europe's "painful realization" that it must operate more independently from what it characterized as an increasingly authoritarian U.S. administration.
Industry and Economic Impact
The regulatory rollback is expected to have immediate implications for various industries. Oil and gas companies, which have faced increasing pressure to reduce methane emissions and other pollutants, would likely see reduced federal oversight under the new framework.
Power plant operators and automotive manufacturers would also benefit from relaxed environmental standards, potentially reducing compliance costs but also eliminating incentives for cleaner technologies. However, some renewable energy investments may continue based on economic factors rather than regulatory requirements.
The move could also affect state-level climate initiatives, as many state programs have relied on federal standards as a foundation for their own regulations. States like California, which has led on vehicle emission standards, may need to develop new approaches to maintain their environmental goals.
Scientific Community Reaction
Climate scientists and environmental health experts have expressed alarm at the planned regulatory changes. The 2009 endangerment finding was based on comprehensive research from NASA, NOAA, and other federal agencies, as well as peer-reviewed studies from the global scientific community.
Dr. Michael Mann, a prominent climate researcher, called the rollback "a direct assault on science-based policymaking" in a statement Monday. Environmental groups are preparing legal challenges, arguing that the EPA cannot simply ignore established science without presenting compelling new evidence.
The American Lung Association and other public health organizations have also raised concerns about the potential health impacts, particularly in communities already dealing with poor air quality.
Looking Ahead
The EPA has not yet released specific details about the timeline for implementing the rollback or how existing regulations will be modified. Zeldin's office did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment beyond the administrator's statements to the Wall Street Journal.
Legal experts predict the regulatory changes will face immediate court challenges, potentially creating years of uncertainty for businesses and environmental advocates alike. The outcome could ultimately depend on how courts weigh scientific evidence against administrative authority.
As the Trump administration continues its broader deregulation agenda, the climate policy rollback represents perhaps the most significant environmental policy shift since the creation of the EPA in 1970. The long-term implications for American climate policy and international relationships remain to be seen.