Trump administration undermines EPA enforcement of Clean Air Act

The Trump administration has officially repealed the EPA’s 2009 “endangerment finding,” which had determined that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane pose a threat to human health and welfare. This finding was the legal foundation for the EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. Although the repeal currently affects only car and truck tailpipe emissions, it is anticipated to be the first step in a series of rollbacks on federal air pollution regulations. However, fully repealing the endangerment finding will require a lengthy regulatory process similar to the original two-year procedure. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s action is expected to slow the decline in emissions by about 10%, potentially increasing pollution levels. Environmental advocates, such as Fred Krupp of the Environmental Defense Fund, warn that this move will lead to more pollution, higher costs, and tangible harms to American families. Experts also highlight the broader consequences of unabated climate change, including increased mortality rates and economic damages projected to reach approximately