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Trump EPA repeals 2009 GHG endangerment finding

Reference: EPA Press Release

On February 12th, 2026, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is repealing the 2009 greenhouse gas (GHG) endangerment finding and terminating all additional GHG standards on vehicle models 2012-2027 and beyond.

  • Includes any GHG standards for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles
  • Off-cycle credits eliminated
  • Action is only related to GHG emissions and does not affect regulations that combat criteria pollutants and air toxics

Reasoning

  • The agency concludes that Section 202(a) of the CAA does not provide statutory authority for EPA to prescribe motor vehicle and engine emission standards in the manner previously utilized, including for the purpose of addressing global climate change, and therefore has no legal basis for the Endangerment Finding and resulting regulations.

 

  • EPA now finds that even if the U.S. were to eliminate all GHG emissions from all vehicles, there would be no material impact on global climate indicators through 2100

Touted Benefits

  • $1.3T savings for taxpayers
  • New car prices will reduce by $2,400 per vehicle (Reduced vehicle cost + avoided costs of EV equipment)
  • Start-stop feature might not be needed
  • Effective electric car mandate eliminated : Increased consumer choice

Further Information

GHGs included in the endangerment finding are CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs and SF6. See below for the text from the 2009 finding.

Watch a recording of the announcement made by President Trump and Administrator Lee.

The implication of this action is broad: it removes the basis for any GHG/CO2 standards for vehicles, and is potentially a big setback for electrification (it will proceed based on market pull rather than regulatory push). Expect a lot of legal action to follow.

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