Trump administration to rollback Obama era EPA protections

SOUTH BEND,Ind.-- The Trump administration is proposing the repeal of a 2009 scientific study showing human-caused climate change endangers people’s health and safety. It would be one of the most significant reversals on climate policy in the nation’s history and is designed to lower air quality regulations, while also sparking the U.S. economy.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin made the announcement today in Indianapolis, alongside Gov. Mike Braun and leaders of the trucking industry.

If successful, the repeal of the “endangerment findings” would effectively end many of the EPA’s existing fuel efficiency rules for cars and trucks, as well as end U.S. efforts to fight global climate change by regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

For a closer look at this, ABC57's Brianna Clark spoke to Notre Dame Professor Arun Agrawal, who is also the director of the university’s sustainability initiative.

He tells us the proposal is expected to face legal challenges, making it difficult for businesses to decide how to move forward right now.