President Donald Trump has officially reversed the 2009 “endangerment finding,” a cornerstone of American environmental law that identified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health. The move effectively dismantles the legal foundation the federal government uses to regulate planet-warming emissions, particularly in the automotive sector.
The White House has framed the reversal as the “largest deregulation in American history,” arguing that the Obama-era mandate placed an undue financial burden on both manufacturers and consumers.
- Cost Reductions: The administration estimates the rollback will save automakers approximately $2,400 per vehicle.
- Total Impact: Officials suggest the move could save the economy over $1 trillion by lowering energy and transport costs.
Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump labeled the 2009 ruling a “disastrous” policy that “massively drove up prices” and served as the “legal foundation for the Green New Scam.”
The legal and environmental backlash
The EPA established the 2009 finding during Barack Obama’s first term after Congress failed to pass comprehensive climate legislation. By classifying six gases—including carbon dioxide and methane—as public health hazards, the EPA gained the authority to curb emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Former President Obama, in a rare public critique of his successor, warned that the repeal would leave Americans “less safe” and “less healthy.” Environmental advocacy groups have echoed this alarm, calling it the most significant climate rollback to date and confirming they will challenge the decision in federal court.
The battle now moves to the judiciary. Because the original finding was rooted in scientific consensus, the Trump administration will likely face a rigorous legal “arbitrary and capricious” test. They must prove in court that the scientific evidence regarding the dangers of greenhouse gases has fundamentally changed since 2009.
