Trump Administration Targets EPA Ruling on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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EPA Proposes to Rescind Greenhouse Gas Endangerment finding, Sparking Debate

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to withdraw a important 2009 finding that declared greenhouse gases (GHGs) a threat to public health and welfare. This move, if finalized, would eliminate the federal government’s authority to regulate GHG emissions from major industries, including the automotive and energy sectors.

The original 2009 Endangerment Finding, issued during the Obama administration, concluded that GHG emissions contribute to global warming, extreme weather events, heat-related mortality, and reduced air quality, thereby endangering public health and welfare. This finding served as the legal basis for numerous EPA regulations, such as GHG standards for light-duty vehicles starting in 2010, and later for medium and heavy-duty vehicles, and also regulations for power generation and the oil and gas sectors.

in its proposal, the EPA cited “serious concerns” about the scientific underpinnings of the 2009 finding, suggesting that global warming projections used at the time were “unduly pessimistic.” The agency stated that rescinding the finding would remove its statutory authority to set standards for GHG emissions and would consequently eliminate all existing GHG standards for vehicles and heavy-duty engines.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin remarked, “With this proposal, the Trump EPA is proposing to end sixteen years of uncertainty for automakers and American consumers.” He further stated that the EPA had received feedback indicating that previous administrations “twisted the law, ignored precedent, and warped science to achieve their preferred ends and stick American families with hundreds of billions of dollars in hidden taxes every single year.” Zeldin asserted that the concerns raised were not about carbon dioxide itself, but about the EPA’s GHG emissions standards. He projected that finalizing the proposal could undo regulations with an aggregate cost of $1 trillion.

Environmental organizations have strongly criticized the EPA’s proposal. Conrad Schneider, Senior Director, U.S. at Clean Air Task Force,described the move as a “drastic step” that would “needlessly put the health of millions of Americans at risk.” John Noël,Greenpeace USA Climate Campaign Director,characterized the declaration as a “handout from trump to big Oil,” adding that it lacked “reasonableness or science-based justification.”

the Natural Resources Defence Council released a statement noting, “Trump’s EPA wants to reverse a long-standing decision that greenhouse gases and climate change threaten public health. It’s served as a legal foundation for pollution restrictions on oil drilling, cars, and more. if needed, we’ll fight this in court.”

The proposal is expected to undergo a public comment period before a final rule is published, and it is anticipated to face significant legal challenges from various groups.

How might the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule impact overall greenhouse gas emissions compared to the clean Power Plan?

Reversing Obama-Era Climate Policies

The current administration,building on a platform of energy independence and deregulation,has initiated a series of actions aimed at significantly altering the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority regarding greenhouse gas emissions. this move directly challenges the landmark Clean Power Plan, established during the Obama administration, and signals a significant shift in US climate policy. The core argument driving these changes centers on the perceived economic burden imposed by the previous regulations on American industries, particularly the coal industry.

The Clean Power Plan: A Brief Overview

The Clean Power Plan, finalized in 2015, set the first national standards for carbon pollution from power plants. It aimed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 32% below 2005 levels by 2030. Key components included:

State-Level Goals: Allowing states adaptability in how they met emission reduction targets.

Best Available Control Technologies (BACT): Encouraging the adoption of cleaner energy sources and improved efficiency.

Emissions Trading Schemes: Facilitating cost-effective emission reductions.

The plan faced immediate legal challenges, ultimately being stayed by the Supreme Court in 2016. However, it remained a cornerstone of US efforts to combat climate change until the current administration took office.

The Replacement: The Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule

In 2019, the EPA proposed the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule as a replacement for the Clean Power plan. The ACE rule took a significantly narrower approach, focusing solely on improvements to individual power plant efficiency rather than system-wide emission reductions.

Key Differences Between ACE and the Clean Power Plan

| Feature | Clean Power Plan | Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) |

|—|—|—|

| Scope | System-wide emission reductions | Individual power plant improvements |

| Emission Reduction Target | 32% below 2005 levels by 2030 | Modest emission reductions |

| Flexibility for States | High | Limited |

| Focus | Transition to renewable energy | Coal plant efficiency |

The ACE rule was widely criticized by environmental groups and some states, who argued it would result in minimal emission reductions and fail to address the urgency of climate change. It, too, faced legal challenges and was ultimately vacated by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in January 2021.

Current Administration’s Actions (2025)

The current administration has doubled down on efforts to curtail EPA authority over greenhouse gas regulation. Recent actions include:

1. Re-Initiating Rulemaking: The EPA is currently engaged in a new rulemaking process to establish revised standards for power plant emissions.Sources indicate this process will likely result in even weaker regulations than the ACE rule.
2. Limiting EPA’s Authority: Legal challenges are being pursued to further restrict the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act. The argument centers on the “major questions doctrine,” asserting that Congress must explicitly authorize agencies to address issues of vast economic and political significance.
3. Promoting Fossil Fuel Advancement: Policies supporting increased oil and gas production,including lease sales on federal lands and streamlining permitting processes,are being actively pursued. This directly contradicts efforts to transition to a clean energy economy.
4. Withdrawal from International Agreements: Continued pressure to revisit or withdraw from international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, further isolates the US on the global stage.

Impact on Renewable Energy and Clean Technology

The administration’s policies are having a chilling effect on investment in renewable energy and clean technology. Uncertainty surrounding future regulations discourages long-term planning and innovation.

Solar and Wind Energy: While the cost of solar power and wind energy has continued to decline, the lack of consistent federal support hinders widespread adoption.

Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption: Efforts to promote electric vehicles are being undermined by the rollback of fuel efficiency standards and the reduction of tax incentives.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Funding for carbon capture and storage technologies, seen by some as a potential solution for reducing emissions from fossil fuel plants, remains limited.

Legal Battles and Future Outlook

The future of US climate policy remains highly uncertain. Numerous lawsuits challenging the administration’s actions are working thier way through the courts. The outcome of these legal battles will significantly shape the regulatory landscape for greenhouse gas emissions in the years to come.

Case Study: Massachusetts v. EPA (2007)

The 2007 Supreme Court case Massachusetts v. EPA established that the EPA has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant under the Clean Air Act. This ruling provided the legal basis for the Clean Power Plan. The current administration’s efforts to limit EPA’s authority are directly challenging the precedent set by this landmark case.

Real-world Example: