The Trump administration is finalizing the repeal of a significant ruling from 2009 that empowered the federal government to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, which includes six pollutants like carbon dioxide and methane identified as threats to public health due to their contribution to climate change. Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesperson, declared this early Tuesday that it marks the largest deregulation decision in U.S. history.

Initially applied only to vehicle emissions, the ruling has been expanded over the years to encompass various regulatory areas, and its repeal is expected to lead to the dismantling of multiple federal regulations across various emission sources. The administration argues that greenhouse gas emissions should not be classified as pollutants in the traditional sense, indicating a shift in policy that prioritizes deregulation over environmental protections.

This move is likely to have significant implications for U.S. climate policy, potentially undermining efforts to address global warming and public health concerns associated with air quality. As environmental regulations are relaxed, it raises questions about the future of U.S. commitments to international climate agreements and the overall impact on climate change mitigation efforts.