The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of reevaluating a crucial scientific determination that forms the basis of its climate change regulations.
Last week, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin submitted a confidential recommendation to the White House, proposing a reassessment of the 2009 endangerment finding. This finding grants the EPA the authority to regulate greenhouse gases due to their potential harm to public health and welfare.
Key Influences on the Decision
The decision to challenge the endangerment finding involved input from key figures such as Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The EPA’s recommendation aligns with President Donald Trump’s directive on energy issued on his first day in office.
Potential Implications
If the endangerment finding is overturned, it could have far-reaching consequences for U.S. climate policy. This finding is essential for the regulation of six greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Without it, the EPA would no longer be obligated to regulate climate-altering emissions from various sources like power plants, oil and gas facilities, and vehicles. Additionally, it may pose obstacles for future administrations seeking to implement climate-related regulations.
This recent development represents a significant shift from the EPA’s stance in Trump’s initial term, when the agency contemplated rescinding the endangerment finding but ultimately decided against it due to legal uncertainties.
It is worth noting that challenging the endangerment finding could lead to a contentious legal battle, with implications for the trajectory of environmental policy in the United States.
