The EPA has officially revoked the Obama-era Endangerment Finding, which classified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health, in what is described as the largest deregulatory action in history.
On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the leadership of Administrator Lee Zeldin, announced the elimination of the 2009 Obama EPA Endangerment Finding. This finding was instrumental in establishing federal greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles, as it recognized that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane endanger public health and welfare. Zeldin described this move as the 'single largest deregulatory action' in U.S. history, positioning it as a significant shift in environmental policy by reversing previous regulatory frameworks.
The 2009 finding had consequential implications stemming from a Supreme Court ruling in the case of Massachusetts v. EPA, which acknowledged greenhouse gases as pollutants that the EPA has the authority to regulate if they are found to threaten public health. By revoking this finding, the EPA has paved the way for potential deregulation of vehicle emissions standards, directly influencing both industry practices and public health policies related to air quality.
Zeldin's remarks highlighted a responsive approach to public sentiment; he noted that during his travels across the country, many Americans expressed opposition to certain regulatory features, including the motor vehicle start-stop mechanisms. This deregulation is anticipated to save consumers billions, but it raises concerns among environmentalists about the potential long-term effects on climate change and public health outcomes, given the critical role of regulations in managing greenhouse gas emissions.
