EPA Chief Zeldin Celebrates Repeal of Climate Endangerment Finding

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended his decision to repeal the 2009 endangerment finding at a conference hosted by the Heartland Institute, telling climate skeptics they should "celebrate vindication." The endangerment finding, which determined that greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare, was the legal basis for federal regulations on emissions from power plants, vehicles, and other sources. Zeldin argued that the finding hurt industry and the economy and claimed previous administrations twisted science to support it.

Zeldin's appearance at the Heartland Institute conference reflected the Trump administration's reversal of traditional environmental policies. The EPA has rolled back dozens of air and water protections and asserted it lacks legal authority to regulate climate change. Environmentalists criticized Zeldin's speech, accusing him of "rallying climate deniers" and promoting disinformation.

Joe Bonfiglio, U.S. director of the Environmental Defense Fund, called the Heartland Institute a "disinformation factory" and said Zeldin's appearance signaled the Trump administration's abandonment of its obligation to protect public health. The EPA defended Zeldin, stating he promotes the agency's agenda based on "gold standard science." The Heartland Institute, which describes itself as a free-market think tank, has received financial support from oil and gas interests.

The repeal of the endangerment finding eliminates greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks and could lead to broader rollbacks of climate regulations. Nearly two dozen states, along with cities and environmental groups, have filed legal challenges against the repeal. Bonfiglio called Zeldin's speech "surreal" and tone-deaf given rising energy costs and extreme weather events.