The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to eliminate the legal basis that has underpinned the country’s major environmental policies for more than a decade: the so-called “endangerment finding” of 2009. This measure identified six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxideincluding carbon dioxide and methane, as threats to public health.
Since then, that provision has been the pillar on which emission control standards for vehicles, industries and power plants have been built. However, according to statements obtained by U.S. media, the Trump administration would shortly announce the repeal of this legal foundation, thus weakening the EPA’s regulatory reach.
The legal basis for climate regulation under direct threat
The elimination of the endangerment finding is more than a symbolic gesture. According to reports, federal monitoring, reporting, and emission reduction requirements for the gases involved would be repealed with this decision. Although the power plant rules would not be repealed immediately, analysts believe that this repeal would open the door to doing so.
For the current administration, climate regulations have been seen as an obstacle to energy development. Spokespersons have argued that climate change does not represent an existential threat, in contrast to the scientific positions adopted during previous administrations.
Reaction of the environmental sector and developing legal scenario
Organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund anticipate an immediate court challenge. They argue that this measure undermines the most effective mechanisms to limit climate pollution. climate pollution. For their part, legal experts warn that reversing a finding with so much scientific backing could face hurdles in federal courts.
The EPA, under this new line, has called the 2009 finding one of the“most damaging decisionsin modern history,” marking a profound shift in the institutional narrative. Meanwhile, industry sectors and conservative groups have applauded the approach as necessary regulatory relief.
Future of climate policy remains in limbo
With this repeal, the scope of the federal government’s tools to address the climate crisis is redefined. climate crisis. The absence of a solid legal basis for controlling greenhouse gases could undermine international commitments and hinder long-term environmental planning.
In this scenario, the immediate future will depend on the strength of judicial resources and the capacity of Congress to respond legislatively to a change of course in environmental matters.
Source and photo: Oil Price