Trump pushes EPA to decide whether to drop climate pollution rules

President Donald Trump has given EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin one week to determine if the agency can abandon its authority to regulate climate pollution under the Clean Air Act, a move that could reshape U.S. climate policy.

Jean Chemnick reports for E&E News.

In short:

Trump’s executive order directs EPA to review the 2009 endangerment finding, which underpins greenhouse gas regulation, and determine its legality by Feb. 19.
Overturning the finding could make it easier to eliminate climate rules without replacement, but legal challenges could stall the effort and drain the EPA’s resources.
Industry groups and legal experts warn that removing EPA’s regulatory authority could increase litigation and limit future administrations’ ability to address climate change.

Key quote:

"Taking away the 2009 endangerment finding would really make it almost a virtual formality to take down all the greenhouse rules for CO2 and methane."

— Joe Goffman, former EPA air chief under President Biden

Why this matters:

The fate of U.S. climate policy may hang in the balance as the Environmental Protection Agency considers scaling back its authority over climate pollution. Such a move would have long-lasting consequences, making it harder for future administrations to reestablish strong regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. With fewer restrictions in place, fossil fuel use could surge, driving up emissions and exacerbating climate-related disasters like wildfires, hurricanes and heat waves. As scientists warn of worsening climate effects, the debate over regulatory authority has become a critical front in the fight against global warming.

www.eenews.net

Trump pushes EPA to decide whether to drop climate pollution rules

Chemical giant, climate skeptics vie for seats on EPA science panel

Nutritionist Marion Nestle weighs in on 'What to Eat Now'

With Trump absent from COP30 talks, the world moves on without U.S.

Podcast: Will we artificially cool the planet?

Fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber all COP30 delegations except Brazil, report says

European Parliament backs diluted 2040 climate targets

Opponents say bill bolstering Ohio's orphan well program is too generous to the oil and gas industry

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.