WASHINGTON, D.C. February 12, 2026 – In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump and newly appointed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have announced the elimination of the Obama-era Endangerment Finding, a key regulatory determination from 2009 that classified greenhouse gases (including CO₂) as pollutants endangering public health and the environment. This move targets vehicle emission standards and related rules.
The announcement, shared directly from the official White House X account, claims the repeal will save American taxpayers $1.3 trillion by removing what the administration describes as “costly and useless” regulations. It specifically highlights the removal of requirements linked to the stop-start button feature in many modern vehicles, which was implemented partly under fuel efficiency and emissions mandates.
President Trump and Administrator Zeldin framed the decision as a major win for reducing regulatory burdens on the auto industry and consumers, aiming to lower vehicle costs and eliminate perceived unnecessary government mandates.
The Endangerment Finding served as the scientific and legal foundation for numerous EPA regulations on vehicle emissions, fuel economy standards (CAFE), and the broader push toward cleaner transportation under previous administrations. Critics of the repeal argue it weakens efforts to combat climate change and air pollution, potentially increasing long-term public health risks and environmental damage while benefiting fossil fuel interests and traditional automakers resistant to rapid electrification.
Reactions on social media have been sharply divided:
– Supporters praise the move as cutting red tape and delivering economic relief.
– Opponents criticize it as prioritizing corporate profits over public health, with some pointing to rising CO₂ levels and climate science consensus.
The video accompanying the White House post (approximately 46 seconds long) features the announcement, likely showing President Trump and Administrator Zeldin discussing or formalizing the policy change.
This action marks one of the early environmental policy reversals in the current administration, signaling a broader deregulatory agenda on energy and climate-related rules. Further details on implementation timeline and specific affected regulations are expected from the EPA in coming days.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments and reactions to this major policy shift.
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