The Environmental Protection Agency has rescinded the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, a central scientific and legal basis for federal climate regulation. Reuters reported that the decision marks a major turning point in U.S. climate policy and removes the foundation for federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

EPA’s own final rule summary says the agency rescinded the finding and repealed greenhouse gas emission standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty on-highway vehicles and engines.

This is not an abstract legal change. It affects the federal government’s ability to limit pollution that drives extreme heat, stronger storms, wildfire smoke, rising seas, and other climate-related harms.

Young Americans And Health Groups Are Suing

The Guardian reported that 18 young Americans are asking a court to immediately halt the repeal, arguing that the rollback worsens planet-warming and toxic pollution and threatens constitutional rights to life, liberty, and religious freedom.

Our Children’s Trust, which represents the youth plaintiffs with Public Justice, says Venner v. EPA challenges the rescission of the endangerment finding and the elimination of greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and trucks.

They are not alone. CBS News reported that 17 health and environmental organizations also sued over the reversal, including the American Public Health Association, American Lung Association, and Environmental Defense Fund.

EPA Must Return To Its Mission

EPA’s job is to protect public health and the environment. Climate pollution already affects health, housing, food systems, water, wildlife, and local economies. Children, older adults, people with asthma, outdoor workers, coastal communities, and low-income neighborhoods often face the greatest risks.

Repealing the endangerment finding tells communities that federal climate protection can be pulled away even while the harm grows. It also creates uncertainty for states and industries trying to plan for cleaner transportation.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin should restore the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, reinstate federal vehicle greenhouse gas standards, and recommit to science-based Clean Air Act protections.

The public should not have to depend on lawsuits to force the nation’s environmental agency to protect people from pollution.

Sign the petition to urge EPA to restore the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding and protect communities from climate pollution rollbacks.

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