What to Know About the E.P.A.’s Repeal of the Endangerment Finding

The Environmental Protection Agency repealed the 2009 endangerment finding, the scientific determination that gave the federal government the authority to regulate greenhouse gases. That decision removes the basis for rules affecting cars, power plants and other sources of pollution.

The Trump administration says the finding relied on flawed climate models and has argued that reversing it will aid the economy, with E.P.A. administrator Lee Zeldin saying prior administrations used the finding to justify “trillions of dollars” in regulations.

Officials have moved to ease limits on coal, oil and gas and contend the Clean Air Act covers local pollutants rather than global gases; they also cite a recent Supreme Court ruling that restricts the agency’s power to issue rules with wide economic effects. Scientists disagree.

United States

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