EPA rescinds greenhouse gas emissions endangerment finding

Experts warn the move could have major health implications as climate change worsens

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Trump administration has walked back an Obama-era environmental decision that has been the legal basis for establishing federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding, which determined that six key greenhouse gases threaten human health and welfare. Experts warn this could lead to higher pollution levels and more health issues related to climate change.

Why it matters

The endangerment finding stemmed from a 2007 Supreme Court decision that allowed the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Rescinding this finding could remove the legal basis for federal regulations on emissions from vehicles, power plants, and other major sources, which experts say will worsen air pollution and climate change-related health impacts.

The details

The EPA said the 2009 endangerment finding "had no basis in fact" and "no basis in law." However, experts disagree, stating that decades of research have shown the significant impact of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change on human health. This includes increased risks of heat-related illnesses, wildfires and smoke exposure, and the spread of waterborne diseases.

  • The EPA announced it was rescinding the endangerment finding on February 14, 2026.
  • The 2009 endangerment finding was established during the Obama administration.

The players

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment, including regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

Dr. Ana Navas-Acien

Chair of the department of environmental health sciences at Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.

Kai Chen

Associate professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health and faculty director of the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health.

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What they’re saying

“The scientific evidence showing the connection between greenhouse emissions, climate change and then the related health effects -- it's massive, it's substantial, it has been reviewed by independent organizations.”

— Dr. Ana Navas-Acien, Chair of the department of environmental health sciences at Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University (ktbb.com)

“Climate change is impacting our health right now. It's not a political debate. It is science and the science is clear. We need to take action.”

— Kai Chen, Associate professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health and faculty director of the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health (ktbb.com)

What’s next

The EPA's decision to rescind the endangerment finding is expected to face legal challenges from environmental groups and states.

The takeaway

The rollback of the EPA's endangerment finding could have serious public health consequences by removing the legal basis for federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. Experts warn this will worsen air pollution and climate change-related health impacts, underscoring the need for continued action to address the climate crisis.