Trump Administration Dismantles Federal Climate Regulations
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
Heavy-Duty Vehicle GHG Standards
Landfill Methane Capture Standards (CFR Part 60 Subpart XXX)
Oil and Gas Methane Controls (CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOOa)
Power Plant Carbon Standards (Clean Power Plan)
Power Plant Carbon Standards (Affordable Clean Energy Rule)
Other programs and standards that could be affected by the repeal include the Renewable Fuel Standard, the Energy Star Program, and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which set limits on six criteria pollutants, including greenhouse gases. Future regulations and programs, such as the proposed National Program to Reduce GHG Emissions from New Heavy-Duty Trucks and the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule, may also be impacted.
Implications for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
The repeal of the Endangerment Finding has far-reaching implications for efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The Trump administration’s decision not only threatens existing regulations that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also undermines the scientific basis for future climate action.
By revoking the Endangerment Finding, the administration is sending a dangerous message that climate change is not a priority and that the United States will not take meaningful steps to address it. This decision not only puts the health and safety of current and future generations at risk but also jeopardizes the country’s ability to meet its international commitments to reduce emissions and limit global warming.
Without strong federal regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the United States will struggle to meet its climate goals and transition to a cleaner, more sustainable economy. The repeal of the Endangerment Finding also sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations, signaling that science and evidence-based decision-making may be disregarded in favor of political interests.
Despite the repeal of the Endangerment Finding, many states, cities, and businesses remain committed to climate action and are taking steps to reduce their emissions and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. It is crucial that these efforts continue and that the public and private sectors work together to address this global challenge.
Ultimately, the repeal of the Endangerment Finding underscores the urgent need for strong climate leadership at all levels of government and society. As the impacts of climate change become increasingly severe, it is essential that we take bold and decisive action to protect our planet and secure a sustainable future for all.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is facing challenges with its data infrastructure for greenhouse gas reporting due to the potential suspension of the GHGRP Subpart W reporting. This reporting is crucial for the EPA to track and regulate greenhouse gas emissions effectively. Without this data, the EPA may struggle to fulfill its statutory authority and regulatory responsibilities.
One of the key programs affected by the uncertainty surrounding GHGRP Subpart W reporting is the GHG Permitting Under Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD/“Tailoring Rule”). This rule requires large new or modified industrial facilities emitting over 75,000 tons of CO₂-equivalent annually to obtain GHG emission permits. However, the repeal of the Endangerment Finding, which established the scientific basis for including GHGs in permitting, could undermine the enforcement of this rule.
Additionally, the Endangerment Finding has had broader implications beyond the EPA, particularly in the calculation of the Social Cost of Carbon (SC-GHG) used by federal agencies in cost-benefit analyses. The disbandment of the Interagency Working Group responsible for calculating the SC-GHG under the Trump administration has disrupted the incorporation of climate damages into federal rulemaking processes.
Federal fleet vehicle procurement standards, which require agencies to acquire low-GHG-emitting vehicles, are also impacted by the absence of federal GHG emission benchmarks. Without clear standards, the framework for green fleet procurement is at risk of being undermined.
Furthermore, California’s Clean Air Act Waiver, which allows the state to set its own vehicle emission standards, including GHG standards adopted by other states, faces challenges without federal GHG standards as a baseline. The revocation of this waiver by the Trump administration adds complexity to the regulatory landscape for state-level emissions standards.
Overall, the uncertainty surrounding GHGRP Subpart W reporting and the repeal of the Endangerment Finding have significant implications for greenhouse gas regulation at both the federal and state levels. It is crucial for the EPA to address these challenges to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement of emissions standards.
