EPA Plans to Remove Key Climate Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency is set to cancel a 2009 scientific assessment that has supported U. S. climate policies for over a decade. The agency filed paperwork with the Office of Management and Budget to delete this “endangerment finding, ” a move that would strip it of the legal power to set limits on greenhouse gas emissions. This action follows an earlier proposal from July and signals a sharp shift in the administration’s approach to environmental regulation. The decision would have wide‑ranging effects, especially on the transportation sector, which is the largest source of pollution in the country. If the finding disappears, the EPA would no longer have authority under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act to establish standards for vehicle emissions. Regulations that have already been in place for cars, trucks and power plants could be challenged or rolled back.Supporters of the change argue that it will help lower energy costs and boost American industry, but critics warn that it could undo progress on public health and climate protection. Environmental groups are likely to file lawsuits, as the finding has survived judicial review for years and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2007. The court declined to hear a recent appeal, suggesting that the rule is legally solid. The move reflects the administration’s broader deregulatory agenda, which has aimed to reduce federal oversight on energy and industry. Whether the change will ultimately succeed depends on legal battles that may take years to resolve. The outcome will shape how the United States tackles climate change for the foreseeable future.