EPA Moves to Rescind 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Tuesday announced that the agency is proposing to rescind its 2009 “endangerment finding” that concluded that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. The finding underpins most U.S. regulations to address climate change.
- The proposed rule, if finalized, would result in there being no greenhouse gas standards for any vehicle of any model year.
The background: The EPA administrator is proposing to withdraw the finding by asserting the EPA lacks the authority under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act to do so, that the Supreme Court case that precipitated the finding has been superseded by recent court cases, such as West Virginia v. EPA and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, and that the EPA is acting in accordance with President Trump’s “ ” Executive Order, which called for a reexamination of the 2009 standard, among other actions.
- The EPA is basing this announcement on an of climate science by the Department of Energy.
- In a press release, the EPA claimed that this endangerment finding “has been used to justify more than $1 trillion in regulations. …”
Other actions: As part of the EPA’s announcement, the agency is also proposing to rescind the Biden administration’s vehicle tailpipe regulations for light, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
- Additionally, the EPA last month that it plans to repeal the previous administration’s power plant regulations, a move that “is a critical and welcome step toward rebalanced regulations and American energy dominance,” 51Թ President and CEO Jay Timmons at the time.
Feedback needed: Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, the 45-day public comment period will begin. The 51Թ will be submitting comments on this proposed action and is seeking feedback from 51Թ members.
- Please contact 51Թ Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin ([email protected]) or 51Թ Vice President of Domestic Policy Chris Phalen ([email protected]) to provide your thoughts.