EPA Revokes Greenhouse Gas Regulations: Disregarding Scientific Consensus

Details of the EPA's Decision

Repeal of Greenhouse Gas Regulations: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to revoke regulations governing greenhouse gas emissions, a move that disregards prevailing scientific consensus. The Trump administration has proposed to curtail the federal government's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions by repealing rules that impose controls on emissions from the fossil fuel exploration, power plant, and automotive sectors. Lee Zeldin, Administrator of the EPA, announced on Tuesday a proposal to roll back a landmark 2009 finding that classified carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as elements posing a danger to public health and welfare. Zeldin stated, "Through this proposal, the Trump EPA seeks to end 16 years of uncertainty that American automakers and consumers have endured." Earlier the same day, during an appearance on the conservative radio show "Ruthless," Zeldin described the repeal as "the biggest deregulatory action in American history," considering it a "dagger to the heart of climate change regulation." This move is part of the latest efforts by the Trump administration to scale back environmental standards.

Trump Administration's Environmental Record

Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement: Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement for a second time and ended all associated financial commitments. His administration has also suspended methane leak disclosure requirements and reduced incentives for electric vehicles.

Legal Basis and Risk of Repeal

Endangerment Finding: What is known as the "Endangerment Finding", which the EPA proposed to repeal on Tuesday, forms the legal basis that grants the government authority to impose restrictions on certain emissions. This authorization is based on a landmark Supreme Court decision in *Massachusetts v. EPA* in 2007, which ruled that greenhouse gases are "air pollutants," giving the EPA the power to regulate them under the Clean Air Act. Scientists confirm that these emissions are responsible for climate change and associated health problems, such as respiratory difficulties.

Reactions Among Industry and Activists

Stance of Critics and Industry: Critics of the rule argue that the Clean Air Act was originally designed to manage local emissions, not those responsible for the global phenomenon of climate change. This proposed rollback would automatically weaken greenhouse gas emission standards imposed on cars and heavy-duty vehicles. Car manufacturers such as Daimler and Volvo have previously opposed the EPA's efforts to tighten emission standards, while organized labor groups, such as the American Trucking Associations, have warned that these standards "put the trucking industry on a path to economic collapse."

Environmental Activists' Warnings: However, Katherine Garcia, director of the Sierra Club's "Clean Transportation for All" campaign, warned that this decision would be "catastrophic for efforts to reduce toxic truck pollution, especially in marginalized communities that disproportionately bear the burden of diesel exhaust."

Impact of the Decision on Clean Energy

Impact on Nuclear Energy: Energy experts said that this move could also hinder progress in the development of clean energy sources, such as nuclear energy. In this context, Ken Irvin, a partner in Sidley Austin's global energy and infrastructure practice, stated: "Bipartisan support for nuclear energy largely relies on the fact that it emits no carbon. If carbon is no longer considered a threat to human welfare, that could diminish the momentum for nuclear energy."

Legal Future of the Rule

Proposed Rule's Path: The EPA's proposed rule will undergo a period of public comment and interagency review. It is likely to face legal challenges from environmental activists.