This week’s top headline from the Environmental Protection Agency is the proposed repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, the linchpin legal basis for the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. According to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, this action will trigger the rollback of all major federal limits on carbon pollution from vehicles, power plants, and other large sources. The agency’s official stance is that previous rules overstepped EPA’s authority and placed undue restrictions on American energy producers. The move follows President Trump’s executive order instructing agencies to cut what he called unnecessary environmental burdens on domestic energy, specifically fossil fuels.

In a flurry of activity called “the greatest day of deregulation in US history” by EPA officials, the agency also proposed rescinding the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which for 15 years has tracked emissions from the country’s largest polluters like oil and gas operations and power plants. Critics including the League of Women Voters and public health advocacy groups have sounded alarms that repealing the Endangerment Finding and the reporting program will leave the public in the dark about climate pollution levels and remove the foundation for holding major emitters accountable.

Meanwhile, the EPA announced plans to terminate its $7 billion Solar for All program, which had funded solar installations for low-income families. Local communities and clean energy businesses argue that losing this investment could mean higher energy bills and missed economic opportunities, especially for disadvantaged neighborhoods. Businesses in the fossil fuel sector, however, are hailing the move, expecting fewer regulatory hurdles and lower compliance costs. State and local governments who had invested heavily in these programs are now scrambling to adjust their budgets and development plans.

Changes aren’t limited to climate action. The EPA also released a draft to scale back requirements in chemical safety oversight under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The new rule would reverse many of the Biden-era provisions requiring the agency to examine all uses of a chemical before determining its risk. The American Chemical Council has applauded the change, stating it streamlines research and innovation, but worker and environmental groups worry it puts vulnerable communities at risk of toxic exposure. The public has until November 7 to submit comments on this proposal.

EPA leadership continues to reorganize, consolidating scientific research divisions under direct control of Administrator Zeldin, and shutting down several advisory committees including the longstanding Clean Air Act Advisory Committee. Former members warn that eliminating independent expert input could weaken science-based decision-making.

For American citizens, the impact could be immediate—a predicted rise in air pollution and slower progress on clean energy. For businesses, especially in fossil fuels, regulatory rollbacks may mean short-term savings; but firms invested in clean tech and state and local governments face greater uncertainty. These changes have also drawn criticism from international partners who fear the U.S. may retreat from global climate commitments.

Listeners can engage directly right now: the EPA is collecting public comment on its proposed changes to greenhouse gas regulation and chemical safety until early November. To learn more or weigh in, visit EPA’s website. Watch for final rules early next year, legal battles are all but guaranteed.

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