EPA Chief Calls on Trump to Reassess Scientific Foundations of Climate Action

In a significant move, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reportedly called on the Trump administration to rethink a crucial scientific finding that supports U.S. climate action. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin wants to revise a 2009 conclusion that states greenhouse gases pose risks to public health and well-being.

This finding is key to many climate regulations affecting vehicles, power plants, and other sources of pollution. It’s the foundation for the government’s efforts to address climate change, as noted by various insiders who shared details with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Recently, the EPA declined to discuss Zeldin’s recommendation, which was made in response to an executive order from President Trump. This directive asked the EPA to review the ongoing relevance of the endangerment finding, introduced on Trump’s first day in office.

Some former Trump advisers, like Steve Milloy and Myron Ebell, have expressed enthusiasm for the idea of overturning this finding. They argue that doing so could dismantle climate regulations that they criticize as economically harmful.

However, many environmentalists and legal experts warn that any attempt to roll back this finding would face significant challenges and is unlikely to succeed. David Doniger from the Natural Resources Defense Council described the effort as “a fool’s errand” due to the strong body of scientific evidence supporting the finding.

Trump has often labeled climate initiatives from Democrats as scams and might see nullifying the endangerment finding as a way to invalidate all associated regulations. Nevertheless, experts believe such a move is a long shot, as courts have consistently upheld the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases.

Peter Zalzal from the Environmental Defense Fund expressed concern over this push, stating it disregards the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change and the real dangers people face now. He noted that the recommendation aligns with a broader agenda known as Project 2025, which includes plans for sweeping changes in government policy.

Ann Carlson, a professor of environmental law, also highlighted the consequences of attempting to overturn the finding, suggesting it could lead to chaos within regulatory systems. She stressed that the science is clear: greenhouse gas emissions are already contributing to global warming, which has led to increasing temperatures and severe climate impacts, such as droughts, floods, and wildfires.

In closing, if the endangerment finding were to be overturned, experts agree that the repercussions would be significant and far-reaching, exacerbating climate-related challenges across the nation and the world.

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