US President Donald Trump has reversed a key Obama-era scientific ruling that underpins all federal actions on curbing planet-warming gases. The so-called 2009 'endangerment finding' concluded that a range of greenhouse gases were a threat to public health. It's become the legal bedrock of federal efforts to rein in emissions, especially in vehicles.
The White House called the reversal the 'largest deregulation in American history', saying it would make cars cheaper, bringing down costs for automakers by $2,400 per vehicle.
Environmental groups say the move is by far the most significant rollback on climate change yet attempted and are set to challenge it in the courts.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump stated the 2009 ruling was 'a disastrous Obama era policy that severely damaged the American auto industry and massively drove up prices for American consumers'. He referred to the ruling as the legal foundation for the 'Green New Scam', criticizing the Democrats' climate agenda.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first took a stance on the impacts of greenhouse gases in 2009, declaring six key greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, were a danger to human health. With a divided Congress unable to agree on legislation to tackle rising global temperatures, the 'endangerment finding' became central to federal efforts to curb emissions.
Critics argue that reversing the ruling could lead to increased health risks, and more costly fuel in the long run. Many experts predict that the rollback could cost Americans an additional $1.4 trillion in fuel costs stemming from less efficient vehicles.
Furthermore, while the Trump administration is optimistic about the economic implications of the rollback, including potential job creation in the auto industry, significant environmental backlash is anticipated as stakeholders work to counter the ruling in court.
The White House called the reversal the 'largest deregulation in American history', saying it would make cars cheaper, bringing down costs for automakers by $2,400 per vehicle.
Environmental groups say the move is by far the most significant rollback on climate change yet attempted and are set to challenge it in the courts.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump stated the 2009 ruling was 'a disastrous Obama era policy that severely damaged the American auto industry and massively drove up prices for American consumers'. He referred to the ruling as the legal foundation for the 'Green New Scam', criticizing the Democrats' climate agenda.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first took a stance on the impacts of greenhouse gases in 2009, declaring six key greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, were a danger to human health. With a divided Congress unable to agree on legislation to tackle rising global temperatures, the 'endangerment finding' became central to federal efforts to curb emissions.
Critics argue that reversing the ruling could lead to increased health risks, and more costly fuel in the long run. Many experts predict that the rollback could cost Americans an additional $1.4 trillion in fuel costs stemming from less efficient vehicles.
Furthermore, while the Trump administration is optimistic about the economic implications of the rollback, including potential job creation in the auto industry, significant environmental backlash is anticipated as stakeholders work to counter the ruling in court.
