Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the Trump EPA has finalized what he described as the largest act of deregulation in United States history, eliminating the 2009 endangerment finding issued during the Obama administration.

In remarks detailing the action, Zeldin characterized the move as a significant rollback of federal regulatory authority tied to greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle standards.

“The Trump EPA has finalized the single largest act of deregulation in the history of the United States of America, referred to by some as the holy grail of federal regulatory overreach, the 2009 Obama EPA endangerment finding is now eliminated,” Zeldin said.

Zeldin stated that the decision would produce substantial economic effects for taxpayers and consumers.

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“This action will save American taxpayers over $1.3 trillion what that means is lower prices, more choices and an end of heavy handed climate policies. With today's announcement, American families will save over 2400 via $2,400 for a new vehicle.”

The endangerment finding, issued in 2009, determined that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare, forming the legal basis for federal regulation of emissions from vehicles and other sources under the Clean Air Act. Zeldin criticized the origins and impact of that decision.

“16 years ago, an ideological crusade within the Obama administration set off the most costly regulatory power grab our country has ever experienced. The 2009 Obama EPA endangerment finding led to trillions of dollars and regulations that strangled entire sectors of the United States economy, including the American auto industry.”

Zeldin argued that the finding extended federal authority beyond what the Clean Air Act authorizes.

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“It claimed new powers over the vehicles we drive, even though the best reading of the Clean Air Act clearly states otherwise,” he said.

He also contended that both the Obama and Biden administrations relied on the finding to implement additional climate-related policies.

“The Obama and Biden administrations used it to steamroll into existence a left wing Wish List of costly climate policies, electric vehicle mandates and other requirements that assaulted consumer choice and affordability and who paid the biggest price, hard working families, small businesses, millions of Americans who just want a reliable, affordable car to get to work, take their kids to school or go to church on Sunday,” Zeldin said.

According to Zeldin, the regulatory framework built on the endangerment finding went beyond emissions standards and had broader economic consequences.

“The endangerment finding and the regulations that were based on it didn't just regulate emissions. It regulated and targeted the American dream,” he said.

Zeldin confirmed that the EPA has rescinded both the endangerment finding and related greenhouse gas emission standards.

“And now the endangerment finding is hereby eliminated, as well as all greenhouse gas emission standards that followed. The red tape has been cut.”

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The EPA’s action marks a major policy shift affecting vehicle emissions standards and other greenhouse gas regulations implemented over the past 16 years. Zeldin said the change is intended to reduce regulatory burdens and lower costs for American consumers and businesses.

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