EPA puts future of climate regulations, vehicle GHG emissions standards in jeopardy 

The EPA is proposing to rescind its foundational “endangerment finding” for greenhouse gases, which is widely acknowledged as the cornerstone of federal climate regulation, and repeal greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles. 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. — Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to rescind its legal finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. Finalized in 2009 and based on robust scientific evidence, the “endangerment finding” supports EPA’s rules that reduce greenhouse gas pollution from vehicles and other sources under the Clean Air Act  

At the same time, the EPA also proposed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks. The transportation sector is the number one source of greenhouse gas pollution nationwide and cleaning up our vehicles is critical for public health and in the fight against climate change. Together, these proposals threaten the health of people around the country and undermine our ability to meet our climate goals.  

Garrett Gee, a senior attorney leading SELC’s transportation electrification work across the region, released the following statement: 

“These moves ignore the well-established science and huge impacts of climate pollution on communities and the environment. They are the latest step in this Administration’s attempts to derail progress on addressing climate change and cleaning up transportation pollution. If these proposals are finalized, we’ll be on track to see more climate-altering pollution, dirtier air, and less-efficient cars and trucks, all while undermining American competitiveness in manufacturing electric vehicles. And as frequently is the case, these decisions will disproportionately harm communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”