Trump’s EPA Plans Major Rollback of Key Climate Initiatives: What It Means for Our Future – DW – 07/31/2025

The Trump administration is pushing to revoke a critical scientific finding that has been key to U.S. climate policy. Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced this move as a huge deregulatory step while speaking at a car dealership in Indiana.

At the center of this proposal is the 2009 endangerment finding created during the Obama administration. This finding established that the EPA can regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. If withdrawn, the EPA would lose its ability to control emissions from cars, power plants, and other sources, potentially reshaping U.S. environmental policy entirely.

Experts are voicing concerns about the impact of reversing this finding. Barry Rabe, a professor at the University of Michigan, called it a concerning shift that favors fossil fuel production over renewable energy. Michael Gerrard, a professor at Columbia Law School, pointed out that the current administration is aggressively following a plan aimed at deregulation, known as Project 2025.

Climate change is intensifying, leading to extreme weather events like heatwaves and wildfires across the country. Jason Rylander, legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, warned that the proposal could exacerbate public health and environmental issues. He noted that climate change will not go away, and additional harms will follow if greenhouse gases are not adequately controlled.

The EPA has opened the proposal to public comment until September. After that, they’ll review feedback before issuing a final ruling expected later this year. Legal challenges are anticipated, and cases will likely make their way to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and possibly the Supreme Court.

The endangerment finding is based on robust scientific research showing the effects of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change. Rylander suggested that the EPA’s arguments to reverse the finding seem flimsy, as they appear focused on political gains rather than scientific facts.

If the finding is revoked, it will create a significant barrier to U.S. climate action. Despite possible state-level regulations, experts agree that the repeal would undermine federal capabilities to reduce greenhouse gases effectively.

As the debate unfolds, the urgency of addressing climate change remains clear. Even with potential changes in policy, many states continue to push for cleaner energy solutions. However, without strong federal support, progress could slow significantly.

For further reading, visit the EPA’s proposed rule.

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