Washington, D.C. – February 13, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump has formally repealed the 2009 scientific determination that greenhouse gases endanger public health, effectively dismantling the legal foundation for federal climate regulation in the United States.
The move, announced Thursday, also terminates federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for all vehicles and engines covering model years 2012 through 2027. It marks the most sweeping climate policy rollback of the Trump administration to date.
Ending the “Endangerment Finding”
The repeal targets the so-called “endangerment finding” adopted in 2009 under former President Barack Obama. That determination empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate carbon dioxide, methane, and four other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act of 1963.
Speaking alongside EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and White House Budget Director Russ Vought, Trump described the rule as “a disastrous Obama-era policy that severely damaged the American auto industry and drove up prices for American consumers.”
The EPA said the repeal could save taxpayers an estimated $1.3 trillion by eliminating compliance, reporting, and certification requirements tied to federal emission standards for vehicles.
Impact on Vehicle and Power Sectors
The repeal removes federal mandates requiring automakers to measure and comply with GHG emission limits. While the immediate impact primarily affects the transportation sector, which accounts for roughly a quarter of U.S. emissions, future implications for power plants and other stationary sources remain uncertain.
Industry groups have generally supported easing vehicle emission standards. However, some have expressed caution about completely rescinding the endangerment finding, citing potential legal uncertainty.
Legal and International Consequences
Environmental law experts warn the decision could trigger a wave of litigation.
A 2011 U.S. Supreme Court ruling had affirmed that greenhouse gas regulation fell under the EPA’s authority, limiting “public nuisance” lawsuits. With the repeal of the endangerment finding, legal scholars suggest such lawsuits could re-emerge as an alternative pathway for climate-related claims.
Robert Percival, an environmental law professor at the University of Maryland, described the repeal as a potential case of administrative overreach that could face significant judicial scrutiny.
The rollback follows Trump’s earlier withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement and his reversal of Biden-era tax credits designed to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and renewable energy deployment.
Environmental Backlash
Environmental organizations sharply criticized the move. The Environmental Defense Fund warned that dismantling climate regulations could increase pollution, worsen extreme weather impacts, and ultimately raise long-term costs for American families.
EDF President Fred Krupp argued that halting federal oversight of greenhouse gas emissions would contribute to more severe storms, flooding, and rising insurance costs.
A Defining Climate Policy Shift
The repeal represents a fundamental shift in U.S. climate governance. Any future administration seeking to regulate greenhouse gas emissions would likely need to reestablish the endangerment finding — a legally and politically complex process.
As the United States repositions its environmental policy, the decision is expected to reshape not only domestic regulation but also the country’s global standing in climate negotiations.
The coming months will likely see court challenges that could determine whether the rollback stands — or becomes one of the most contested environmental decisions in modern American history.