· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has urged the White House to repeal the 2009 "endangerment finding," which allows the U.S. government to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act
• If revoked, this would be one of the Trump administration’s most significant rollbacks of federal climate policy
• The move follows recent decisions to block international climate research and cut EPA funding
🔭 The context: The endangerment finding, based on a 2007 Supreme Court ruling, has justified key regulations on vehicle and power plant emissions under Obama and Biden
• Conservatives argue its repeal is necessary to remove restrictive climate policies, while environmentalists warn it would dismantle vital protections
• Legal battles over the finding have persisted for over 15 years, with opponents gearing up for another fight
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Overturning the finding would weaken the legal foundation for federal climate regulations, limiting future action on emissions
• Environmental groups warn this would lead to higher pollution levels and more extreme weather events
• The decision could also embolden fossil fuel interests and slow down the U.S. energy transition
⏭️ What's next: Legal challenges are expected if the EPA moves forward with repealing the finding
• Experts predict a fierce court battle, as scientific evidence strongly supports greenhouse gases as a public health threat
• The outcome could reshape U.S. climate policy for years to come
💬 One quote: “If the Trump EPA jettisons the obvious finding that climate change is a threat… it will mean more polluted air and more catastrophic extreme weather for Americans.” — David Doniger, Natural Resources Defense Council
📈 One stat: The Trump administration is considering cutting 65% of the EPA’s budget, which could significantly reduce its regulatory capacity
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