Washington: US President Donald Trump has moved to overturn a landmark 2009 scientific determination that has anchored US federal action on climate change for over a decade, drawing sharp praise from industry allies and fierce backlash from environmental groups.
The decision targets the so-called ‘endangerment finding,’ issued during the presidency of Barack Obama, which concluded that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane pose a threat to public health and welfare. That determination empowered the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate emissions across sectors, including vehicles, power plants and oil and gas operations.
White House touts cost savings
The White House described the move as the ‘largest deregulation in American history,’ arguing it will lower vehicle prices and energy costs. Officials claim automakers could save about $2,400 per vehicle by rolling back emissions requirements, potentially making cars more affordable for consumers.
Saving Americans TRILLIONS!
President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announce the end of the Obama-era Endangerment Finding, ending costly and useless vehicle emission rules, eliminating the stop-start button, and saving taxpayers $1.3 trillion. pic.twitter.com/imnP3dJeEQ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 12, 2026
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump called the 2009 policy ‘disastrous,’ saying it hurt the US auto industry and drove up prices. Administration officials estimate the rollback could save more than $1 trillion through reduced regulatory burdens.
Environmentalists warn of health and climate risks
Environmental organisations condemned the reversal as the most significant climate rollback attempted in the United States, warning it could increase pollution, fuel consumption and public health risks. Analysts cited projections of higher fuel costs, more asthma cases and thousands of additional premature deaths linked to weaker emissions standards.
Obama, who rarely comments on successors’ policies, warned that repealing the finding would leave Americans less safe and less prepared to combat climate change.
Legal battles expected
Legal experts say the endangerment finding has served as the backbone of US greenhouse-gas regulation, covering sectors from transportation to aviation. Its removal could trigger a wave of lawsuits from states and advocacy groups seeking to preserve climate rules at the state level.
Observers note the administration may ultimately aim to bring the issue before the Supreme Court of the United States, potentially securing a ruling that would make it difficult for future administrations to restore the policy without new legislation.
Science dispute intensifies
The rollback also revives debate over climate science. A Department of Energy-backed report questioning the warming impact of greenhouse gases helped justify the reversal, but critics argue the panel behind it was biased and its conclusions misleading. A federal judge has already ruled the panel’s formation violated legal requirements, adding further uncertainty to the policy’s future.
Industry faces mixed outlook
While some US manufacturers may benefit from looser regulations, analysts warn that producing less fuel-efficient vehicles could hurt competitiveness in overseas markets where stricter emissions standards remain in force.
With court challenges looming and political divisions deepening, the fate of the endangerment finding and the trajectory of US climate policy now appear headed for a prolonged legal and political showdown.
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