{"id":3211,"date":"2026-02-12T20:00:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T01:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vr-news.net\/?p=3211"},"modified":"2026-02-12T20:00:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T01:00:16","slug":"trump-administration-takes-chainsaw-to-science-based-endangerment-finding-endangering-us-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vr-news.net\/?p=3211","title":{"rendered":"Trump Administration Takes Chainsaw to Science-Based Endangerment Finding Endangering Us All"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its final rule to undo the agency\u2019s 2009 foundational scientific finding that global warming emissions endanger public health and the environment\u2014referred to as the Endangerment Finding. EPA also today repealed standards that reduce the dependence of cars and trucks on fossil fuels, which were among the strongest policies the United States had in place to combat climate change, curb toxic fossil fuel pollution, and save drivers money at the pump. This announcement was made via a press conference, and the final rule has yet to be posted to the federal register.<\/p>\n

Below is a statement by Dr. Gretchen Goldman<\/a>, president and CEO of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cToday, Administrator Zeldin took a chainsaw to the Endangerment Finding, undoing this long-standing, science-based finding on bogus grounds at the expense of our health. Ramming through this unlawful, destructive action at the behest of polluters is an obvious example of what happens when a corrupt administration and fossil fuel interests are allowed to run amok. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe science establishing harm to human health and the environment from heat-trapping emissions was clear in 2009. More than fifteen years later, the evidence has only mounted<\/a> as have human suffering and economic damages. Meanwhile, the continued burning of fossil fuels is causing global warming emissions to rise. The science, the facts and the law are unassailable: EPA has the obligation and the authority to regulate this pollution under the Clean Air Act, an act of Congress it\u2019s now blatantly violating. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe transportation sector is the single largest source of U.S. global heat-trapping emissions. By scrapping vehicle global warming pollution standards today, the Trump administration has co-signed the release of more than 7 billion tons of planet-warming emissions nationally in the decades ahead. <\/p>\n

\u201cCommunities across the country are routinely enduring the consequences and costs of climate change, including deadly heat waves, accelerating sea level rise, worsening wildfires and floods, increased heavy rainfall, and more intense and damaging storms. EPA\u2019s attempts to delay climate action come at a time when scientists warn that the world is on the cusp of breaching 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming\u2014a crucial guardrail to help limit some of the worst climate harms. <\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of rising to the challenge with necessary policies to protect people\u2019s wellbeing, the Trump administration has shamefully abandoned EPA\u2019s mission and caved to the whims of deep-pocketed special interests. Sacrificing people\u2019s health, safety and futures for polluters\u2019 profits is unconscionable. We all deserve better and this attack against the public interest and the best available science will be challenged. UCS stands ready to defend the Endangerment Finding in court and beyond.\u201d <\/p>\n

UCS filed comments on behalf of its half a million supporters and its network of more than 22,000 scientists to voice strong opposition to repeal of the endangerment finding<\/a> and vehicle standards<\/a>. It also submitted a letter<\/a> to EPA Administrator Zeldin that was signed by more than 1,000 scientists opposing the repeal of the endangerment finding and urging Administrator Zeldin to stop dismantling critical climate regulations and fulfill the mission of the agency to protect public health. <\/p>\n

A federal judge recently declared<\/a> the Trump administration violated federal law when it secretly formed a \u201cClimate Working Group\u201d and tasked it with writing a dangerously slanted report that the administration then used as a basis for its proposal to overturn the Endangerment Finding last year. As part of that lawsuit\u2014brought by<\/a> UCS and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)\u2014the administration was compelled to turn over more than 100,000 documents<\/a>, which UCS and EDF plan to make available to the public in early March. <\/p>\n

More UCS Resources: <\/strong><\/p>\n