The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule that would roll back the 2009 “Endangerment Finding.” 

The finding is the main federal tool for regulating greenhouse gases (GHG), like methane and carbon dioxide. It applies to every sector that emits greenhouse gases, including power plants, cars, landfills, and oil and gas operations.  

The Trump administration’s attempt to roll back this finding will worsen climate change and endanger the health and welfare of workers and communities. Climate scientists confirm that these emissions are overwhelmingly the cause of rising global temperatures and increase the number of extreme weather and climate disasters the United States is enduring.  

Fenceline communities are more likely to feel the negative impacts of GHGs given their proximity to heavy-emitting facilities. Climate change also disproportionately affects people of color since half of all Black people in the United States live in areas where climate change increases the risks of extreme heat, hurricanes, and flooding. Workers— particularly workers of color—are endangered by this rollback. Studies have found Black construction workers were on average 51% more likely to die from heat-related illnesses, and Mexican-born workers were 91% more likely. 

Following the rule’s release, the BlueGreen Alliance issued a statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh: 

“The EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin is undermining that mission by denying the real and present danger of greenhouse gas pollution confirmed by decades of science. Instead of focusing on protecting workers and communities from the impacts of climate change, the administration continues to rollback efforts to fight climate change and grow clean energy and clean manufacturing solutions that are better for our health, workers, and the American economy. 

“Trump and his sycophants continue to pursue a war against science that will harm workers, communities, and our shared future.”