The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its plan to retract a key declaration made under the Clean Air Act that recognized greenhouse gases as a threat to public health and welfare.
The announcement, made by Lee Zeldin, President Trump’s pick to head the U.S. EPA, raised alarms among climate experts across the United States.
Zeldin revealed the proposal during an event at an Indiana auto dealership, claiming that if finalized, it would represent the most significant deregulatory action in U.S. history.
‘If finalized, today’s announcement would amount to the largest deregulatory action in the history of the United States,’ Zeldin stated, referring to the elimination of the 2009 Endangerment Finding.
This finding identified six greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) — as endangering public health and welfare.
Howard Learner, the CEO and executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, emphasized the critical nature of this determination, labeling it the ‘fundamental linchpin of the Clean Air Act.’
Learner criticized the EPA’s proposal as a denial of scientific realities surrounding climate change.
‘Climate change is real. It’s happening,’ he asserted.
He explained the consequences of this potential action, warning that it could lead to increased pollution and worsening climate change effects in places like Chicago.
‘It’s showing up in our weather. It’s showing up in health risks. It’s showing up in the Great Lakes,’ he said, emphasizing the tangible impacts on the lives of Illinois residents.
According to the EPA’s announcement, the 2009 finding facilitated the establishment of electric vehicle mandates and created ‘significant uncertainties and massive costs’ for both Americans and automakers regarding the regulation of greenhouse gases.
The proposed repeal would eliminate all greenhouse gas standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines, reversing earlier regulations that began in 2010.
This includes payments for ‘off-cycle credits’ associated with features like auto start-stop technology common in new cars.
When CBS News Chicago inquired whether the proposal could also affect vehicle emissions testing in Illinois, the Illinois EPA stated that it was too early to determine any implications.
Learner noted that it’s critical for Illinois to respond proactively to these federal changes.
‘We’re going to be looking for Illinois to step up to make sure people here have healthier, clean air,’ he stated.
The EPA’s announcement suggested that the finalization of this proposal could yield substantial savings for Americans, estimated at $54 billion, by revoking the greenhouse gas standards, including the Biden administration’s electric vehicle mandate.
Zeldin also stated that if Congress wished to amend Section 202 of the Clean Air Act and pursued regulation of greenhouse gases, the EPA would comply with the law.
However, if approved, the plan would erase current pollution limitations from vehicles, factories, and power plants, potentially hindering future administrations from implementing climate change regulations.
Currently, the U.S. EPA proposal remains a proposal and has not yet been finalized.
Zeldin noted the next step would involve a public comment period lasting 45 days.
Environmental advocacy groups are expected to challenge the rule in court.
In response to the proposal, the Illinois EPA stated that the push to revoke the 2009 Endangerment Finding would not have an immediate effect on Illinois and asserted that it does not alter any existing state laws, including vehicle emissions testing requirements.
The state agency committed to thoroughly reviewing the legal and technical merits of the EPA’s proposal, which it views as inconsistent with established scientific evidence and Supreme Court rulings related to climate change.
Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois expressed his opposition to the proposed changes, characterizing them as reckless actions that threaten public health and disregard established science.
Pritzker pointed out that Illinois remains committed to a climate agenda based on scientific principles, aiming to protect communities while fostering a clean energy economy.
‘We take decisive action that grows our clean energy economy while protecting our communities from harmful pollution,’ he affirmed, underscoring the need for continued progress in rapid climate action.
As the conversation regarding greenhouse gas regulations continues, the implications of the U.S. EPA’s proposal will be closely observed by both state and local officials, as well as environmental advocates across the country.
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