The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a review of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a policy from the Obama administration that allowed for increased federal regulation of American energy sectors. The move has been welcomed by 11 members of the Senate Western Caucus, who argue that previous regulations imposed financial burdens on families and restricted domestic energy production.
Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) said, “The era of weaponizing environmental policy against American workers is over. President Trump and Administrator Zeldin have chosen prosperity, energy reliability, and common sense over the climate cult’s radical job-killing agenda. Today’s action is a major deal and recognizes that Wyoming coal, oil, and gas are vital American resources, not emissions to be regulated out of existence by unelected Washington bureaucrats.”
Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) commented on the impact to local economies: “For too long, radical environmentalists and their allies in the federal bureaucracy have waged war on our resource economy through overregulation, costing us jobs and forcing us to rely on overseas adversaries for energy that we can produce better and cheaper here at home. I’m grateful to President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for their commitment to unleashing American energy, lowering costs, and ensuring our energy communities in Montana have the support they need to power our nation and restore American energy dominance on the world stage.”
Other senators echoed these concerns about regulatory overreach. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) stated, “I have repeatedly pushed back on unilateral moves by federal agencies that lock out the voices of Idahoans and saddle consumers and small businesses with unnecessary, burdensome costs. The EPA’s historic deregulatory move puts decision-making back in the hands of elected members of Congress, where we can have robust debate about the merits of sweeping environmental policy.”
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) added his perspective: “The endangerment finding was based on political expediency – not scientific standards. The Biden and Obama administrations routinely abused this rule as an excuse to roll out red tape that destroyed jobs across America. I applaud the Trump administration for working to rescind this rule and for restoring commonsense at the Environmental Protection Agency.”
Some senators focused on consumer choice and taxpayer impacts. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) said, “President Trump and the EPA are taking historic action to cut costly and burdensome energy regulations. Eliminating Obama-Biden era endangerment findings and EV mandates is a commonsense step to save taxpayer dollars, enhance consumers’ freedom of choice, and expand American-made energy.” Senator John Boozman (R-AR) remarked: “Clean air and water is not a partisan issue, it’s something every American wants and expects. The EPA, under a sweeping interpretation of its authority in the Obama and Biden eras, pushed overreaching and misguided regulations that harmed economic growth at the expense of all Americans. I applaud Administrator Zeldin and the Trump administration for correcting course and restoring common sense to protect the environment and health in a balanced and lawful way.”
Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) argued against what he called ideological motivations behind past policies: “The time for weaponizing climate change at the expense of hard-working Americans is over. This was never about science; it was about a left-wing ideology wrapped into an administrative state. I am proud to see President Trump and Administrator Zeldin make this historic deregulatory move prioritizing American manufacturing over the far-left’s job killing agenda.”
Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) pointed out issues with how science has been used in policymaking: “Science and risk-based analysis are the foundation of effective policy. An Obama-era ideological determination has been used to justify burdensome regulation…This is a win for consumer choice, good government, and sound science.”
Highlighting potential benefits for businesses were remarks from Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK): “President Trump and Lee Zeldin have taken a sledgehammer to ridiculous, burdensome regulations…This single act by Administrator Zeldin will have a monumental impact on our energy independence…”
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), referencing his prior opposition as Alaska’s attorney general said: “For 15 years…the EPA under Democratic administrations have used…the 2009 ‘endangerment finding’ to target American energy producers…This is great news for American energy…and jobs…”
Finally Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) addressed international comparisons: “Congress…the voters…and Supreme Court certainly have all repeatedly weighed in…and rejected…the flawed endangerment finding…Power plants in United States are really only responsible for a very small…percentage of global greenhouse gas concentrations…their contribution…is dwarfed by emissions from large polluting countries like China or India…” He encouraged public participation during upcoming comment periods.
EPA Administrator Zeldin explained: “With this proposal…the Trump EPA is proposing to end sixteen years of uncertainty for automakers…and consumers…If finalized rescinding…the Endangerment Finding would end $1 trillion or more in hidden taxes on American businesses…”
U.S Secretary of Energy Chris Wright added: “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership America is returning to free…and open dialogue around climate…and energy policy—driving focus back to following data…Today’s announcement is…a monumental step toward returning…to commonsense policies…”
The review comes amid ongoing debates about balancing economic interests with environmental protection goals.
