“This is a very good thing for these companies,” Lee Zeldin said .
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined North Carolina leaders Thursday to defend President Donald Trump’s plan to appeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a policy put in place under former President Barack Obama that classified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health.
The Endangerment Finding gave the EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. The Trump administration now wants to overturn that determination, arguing it has led to costly regulations, particularly for the auto industry.
“Over $2,400 in savings will be realized for every new vehicle for American families as a result of yesterday’s announcement,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said.
Zeldin claimed the rollback would ease regulatory burdens and allow the market — not federal mandates — to guide consumer choice.
“This is a very good thing for these companies because the demand was just not there in the EV market,” Zeldin said. “If you want to buy an electric, gas, or hybrid, go buy one. This is the way of freedom and choice.”
Rep. Tim Moore called the decision part of a broader economic strategy focused on investment and job growth.
“We’re allowing more and more job growth, tax cut, capital investment,” Moore said. “It’s all a part of the great plan to unleash the American potential.”
Zeldin stressed that even if the Endangerment Finding is overturned, the EPA would continue enforcing air toxics standards under the Clean Air Act.
Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency reports global energy-related CO₂ emissions reached a record high in 2024, rising about 0.8 percent. The agency has warned that scaling back greenhouse gas regulations could slow efforts to curb emissions at a time when climate data shows levels remain near historic highs.
The proposal is expected to face legal and political challenges as the administration moves forward.
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