Several of the returning president's moves will have the climate scolds up in arms. He has thrown Alaska open for energy and mineral development, and in another executive order, he is demanding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) re-visit a 2009 rule — the "endangerment finding" that designated CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide as pollutants.

At the excellent climate website "Watts Up With That" scribe Charles Rotter has the details.

In a decisive and bold step, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reexamine the legality and continuing applicability of the infamous 2009 endangerment finding for greenhouse gases. This directive marks a pivotal moment in the battle against overreaching climate policies that have hamstrung American industry and energy independence for over a decade.

(f) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Administrator of the EPA, in collaboration with the heads of any other relevant agencies, shall submit joint recommendations to the Director of 0MB on the legality and continuing applicability of the Administrator’s findings, “Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases Under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act,” Final Rule, 74 FR 66496 (December 15, 2009).

This is one of many executive orders (EO) that President Trump signed on Monday. These EOs covered a huge range of topics, but this one is intended to break some logjams in American energy production. Everything in our modern technological society depends on energy, and everything in this 2009 EPA finding has a chilling effect (play on words not entirely unintentional) on American energy production.

The 2009 endangerment finding has functioned as a regulatory sledgehammer. Once greenhouse gases were deemed pollutants under the Clean Air Act, the EPA gained sweeping powers to regulate industries across the board. The consequences were dire: entire coal towns were hollowed out, energy costs soared, and American manufacturers faced stiff competition from overseas producers who were not burdened by similar regulations.

That last part is the key. We should note the two largest emitters of carbon in the world right now are China and India, and neither country cares much about what American and European climate scolds think — nor do they care about American EPA pronouncements. And there's no reason why they should. While the American left shouts in outrage at the very idea of American leaders putting American interests first, they are strangely silent when China and India put Chinese and Indian interests first.

All this may be changing now. Mr. Rotter points out the flaws in the 2009 ruling:

President Trump’s directive to the EPA to revisit the endangerment finding signals a long-overdue reckoning. For years, skeptics have pointed out glaring flaws in both the process by which the finding was made and the assumptions underlying it. For example:

1. Scientific Uncertainty: The endangerment finding relied heavily on computer models that predicted catastrophic global warming. Yet these models have consistently failed to align with observed temperature trends. By overstating the risks posed by greenhouse gases, the EPA created a climate of fear and justified draconian regulations.
2. Legal Overreach: The Clean Air Act was never designed to address global climate issues. Stretching the law to regulate carbon dioxide—a gas essential for life—was a legal maneuver that bypassed Congress and concentrated power in the hands of unelected bureaucrats.
3. Economic Harm: The regulations stemming from the endangerment finding have been disastrous for American workers and families. High energy costs disproportionately harm the poor and working-class, while businesses face increased compliance costs that stifle innovation and job creation.

Not to mention constitutional issues; as I have maintained for many years, there is no constitutional authority for the EPA to exist at all.

See Related: Trump Withdraws US From Paris Climate Accords, Al Gore Unhappy

President Trump Opens Up America's Treasure Chest With Alaska Resource Executive Order

Of the three major flaws, the first may be the most egregious. So much in the climate-scold universe depends on these computer models, which never seem to be proven accurate. Why? Because the earth's climate is vast, chaotic, and unpredictable. A local weatherman has trouble telling what local weather will be like a week hence, but these models purport to predict global climate years in the future; the scolds depend on these to cry for policies that are destructive to our lifestyles and our bank balances.

This EO, mind you, is just a first step. It's a good first step, though. Many of us who are old enough remember the days when pollution was a serious problem and even roadside litter was ubiquitous and unsightly. We have come a long way since then. Our air and water are cleaner, and actual serious pollutants have been eliminated or at least reduced to a tolerable level. All of this was accomplished without destroying our modern technology-based lifestyles — and we can keep things clean and safe without damaging that lifestyle. The EPA has, in this matter, badly overstepped; the Trump administration's actions will set things back on a saner footing.

Mr. Rotter concludes:

President Trump’s actions are a reminder that leadership requires courage—courage to question orthodoxy, to challenge entrenched interests, and to put the needs of the American people first. By targeting the 2009 endangerment finding, he is doing just that. Let us hope that this bold move inspires a much-needed course correction in environmental policy for years to come.

A course correction to a sane policy that takes the well-being of American citizens and the environment into account. That's an unalloyed good thing.

You can view President Trump's entire executive order here.