The Trump administration has announced plans to reconsider the official finding that greenhouse gases are harmful to public health, a move that could potentially jeopardize the current climate laws in the US. This decision is part of a series of actions to weaken or repeal pollution limits on power plants, cars, and waterways, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) leading the charge.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that the agency would reconsider the endangerment finding due to concerns that it was limiting industries and consumer choices while benefitting adversaries overseas. Zeldin celebrated the day as the “most consequential day of deregulation in American history” and emphasized that the agency’s mission is to lower costs for consumers.
Environmentalists and former EPA staff have reacted with horror to these announcements, vowing to defend the science and the US’s ability to address the climate crisis through the courts. They argue that the Trump administration is putting polluter profits above public health and well-being.
In addition to reconsidering the endangerment finding, the EPA issued 31 announcements within hours, targeting various environmental rules meant to protect clean air, water, and the climate. These rollbacks could have major impacts on the environment, undoing progress made since the Clean Air Act was passed in the 1970s.
The Trump administration has hinted at further environmental rollbacks in the future, with the Energy Dominance Council aiming to eliminate regulations to boost the fossil fuel industry. Critics argue that these actions are reckless and endanger public health, while supporters claim they will reduce regulatory burdens and promote economic growth.
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