POLICY

Recently, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lee Zeldin, called it the “most important day of deregulation in American history.” What he meant was that the EPA is working to undo many important rules that protect our environment — and that could be a big problem for our planet.

Zeldin and others say these changes will save money and help businesses. But environmental experts say it could reverse decades of progress and make climate change worse.

“We are driving a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion,” Zeldin wrote in The Wall Street Journal, calling this the start of “America’s Golden Age.”

But is it really something to celebrate?

🔧 What Rules Are Being Removed—and Why It Matters

Zeldin wants to roll back 31 important environmental rules. That includes a major one called the “2009 endangerment finding.” This rule says greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) are harmful to people’s health. It’s one of the most important reasons why the U.S. can regulate pollution from things like cars and power plants.

Zeldin says removing these rules will save businesses money and lower costs for things like energy and transportation. But experts disagree.

“In the face of overwhelming science, it’s impossible to think the EPA could create a rule that says climate change isn’t dangerous,” said David Doniger from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

🚗 Power Plants and Car Pollution Rules on the Chopping Block

Zeldin also wants to change rules that limit pollution from cars and trucks and fossil fuel power plants (like those that burn coal and gas). These rules were meant to:

• Reduce harmful emissions
  
  

• Fight climate change
  
  

• Improve public health
  
  

President Biden had worked on these rules to help the U.S. reach its climate goals, including a target for half of all cars sold by 2030 to be electric.

🌫️ Other Protections Being Removed

Here are more protections the EPA wants to get rid of:

• Limits on mercury and air toxins
  
  

• Rules to control soot and fine particles in the air
  
  

• The “good neighbor” rule (which stops smog from spreading between states)
  
  

• Protections for rivers, wetlands, and streams under the Clean Water Act
  
  

“This would cause the biggest jump in pollution in decades,” said Amanda Leland of the Environmental Defense Fund. She says the EPA’s actions are an “unlawful attack on public health.”

⚖️ Environmental Justice Programs Shut Down

One of the most troubling changes? The EPA wants to eliminate programs that protect vulnerable communities — often low-income neighborhoods and communities of color — from pollution. These programs are part of what’s called “environmental justice.”

Zeldin claims these programs were mostly used to help activists and not communities.

“We’re making sure American energy stays clean, affordable, and reliable,” he said.

But critics warn this is just a return to pollution with no rules.

“They’re pretending climate change isn’t dangerous,” said scientist Michael Mann from the University of Pennsylvania.

💼 A Plan Called “Project 2025” Is Behind It

These rollback ideas are part of a bigger plan called Project 2025, written for a possible second term by former President Trump. One of its writers, Russell Vought, said environmental rules hurt the economy and should be removed.

But legal experts say these rollbacks won’t hold up in court.

“Trump and his team care more about polluter profits than people’s lives,” said Jason Rylander from the Center for Biological Diversity.

⚠️ Environmental Justice Ignored Again

The EPA is also dropping a case against a chemical plant in Louisiana accused of increasing cancer risk in a mostly Black community. Critics say this shows the EPA is turning its back on people who need protection most.

“They’re taking us back to a time of dirty air, dirty water, and no rules,” said Matthew Tejada, a former EPA official.

🛢️ Oil Companies Are Happy—Lawmakers Are Not

Not surprisingly, fossil fuel companies are cheering these changes.

“We support updating these rules so Americans can keep using affordable and clean energy,” said Anne Bradbury from a major oil lobbying group.

But many lawmakers are worried.

“This is a betrayal of the American people,” said Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey. “It will have disastrous effects on our health and environment.”

✅ What Happens Now — And What YOU Can Do

None of these changes will happen overnight. There’s still time to fight back — and your voice matters.

1. 📢 Speak Up!

Every proposed rule change must go through a public comment period. That means regular people (like you!) can share their thoughts.

What you can do:

• Go to regulations.gov to leave a comment.
  
  

• Talk about how pollution affects your community.
  
  

• Encourage friends and family to speak up too!
  
  

2. ⚖️ Support Legal Challenges

Some of these changes break existing laws, like the Clean Air Act. Environmental groups will be taking them to court.

What you can do:

• Donate to groups like Earthjustice, NRDC, or the Environmental Defense Fund.
  
  

• Share info on social media.
  
  

• Contact your state leaders and ask them to stand up against these rollbacks.
  
  

3. 🏛️ Push for State and Local Action

Even if federal rules are weakened, your state or city can still make strong environmental laws.

What you can do:

• Call your local officials and ask them to protect the environment.
  
  

• Encourage adults to vote for leaders who care about climate change and clean air.
  
  

• Support local clean energy efforts.
  
  

4. 📚 Learn More and Get Involved

This is the time to get louder, not quieter.

What you can do:

• Go to town halls or school events about climate change.
  
  

• Teach your friends the truth about pollution and science.
  
  

• Use social media to spread facts and call out false info.
  
  

• Join a local group that helps the environment.
  
  

5. 🗳️ Demand National Action

We need strong national laws that protect people and the planet no matter who’s in office.

These laws should:

• Keep the 2009 endangerment finding in place
  
  

• Strengthen the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts
  
  

• Create nationwide protections for environmental justice
  
  

• Commit the U.S. to cut pollution and switch to clean energy

What you can do:

• Encourage your adult friends and caretakers to vote in every election — local, state, and national.
  
  

• Call your senators and representatives.
  
  

• Support plans like the Green New Deal, which connects climate action with jobs and fairness.
  
  

🌎 This Moment Matters

History will remember what we did when the planet needed help. These changes aren't small — they are a major attack on science, health, and fairness. But they aren’t final.

With action, awareness, and strong laws, we can protect what matters — and build a better future for everyone.

💚 The future isn’t written yet. Let’s make it one we’re proud of.