EPA Withdraws Endangerment Finding, Rescinds Vehicle GHG Emission Standards

On Feb. 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to rescind the 2009 Obama-era Endangerment Finding issued under Section 202(a)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Endangerment Finding determined that emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide and methane, from new motor vehicles and engines contributed to air pollution that threatens public health and welfare. The Endangerment Finding had been the basis for EPA to establish federal GHG emission standards for motor vehicles and engines and push toward electric vehicle (EV) mandates. In rescinding the Endangerment Finding, EPA also repealed all federal GHG emission standards for all light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines of model years 2012 to 2027 and beyond. The final rule was published Feb. 18, and legal challenges have already been filed.