Industry Groups Push Back as EPA Moves to Rescind Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding

The EPA’s proposed rollback of greenhouse gas reporting requirements could cut compliance costs—but it also signals a broader shift in federal climate policy that HVACR contractors should monitor closely.
Feb. 20, 2026
4 min read

Key Highlights

  • The EPA's decision removes federal GHG standards for vehicles and the Obama-era 2009 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Endangerment Finding;
  • Sustainable design and health organizations warn that this EPA rollback of GHG standards will lead to increased pollution, health risks, and higher costs for consumers and businesses;
  • Advocates for climate action vow to continue efforts at the state and local levels to mitigate environmental and health impacts despite federal rollbacks.
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WASHINGTON — On Feb. 12, the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would eliminate both the Obama-era 2009 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Endangerment Finding and all subsequent federal GHG emission standards for all vehicles and engines of model years 2012 to 2027 and beyond.

This major deregulatory process included substantial public input and robust analysis of the law following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and West Virginia v. EPA.

“The Endangerment Finding has been the source of 16 years of consumer choice restrictions and trillions of dollars in hidden costs for Americans,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “Referred to by some as the ‘Holy Grail’ of the ‘climate change religion,’ the Endangerment Finding is now eliminated. The Trump EPA is strictly following the letter of the law, returning commonsense to policy, delivering consumer choice to Americans and advancing the American Dream. As EPA Administrator, I am proud to deliver the single largest deregulatory action in U.S. history on behalf of American taxpayers and consumers. As an added bonus, the off-cycle credit for the almost universally despised start-stop feature on vehicles has been removed.”

EPA estimates the rule would reduce compliance costs by $303 million annually through 2033, with the bulk of savings tied to petroleum and natural gas operations. For HVACR contractors and suppliers, the move could ease administrative burdens tied to refrigerant and fuel-related reporting, but it also signals a broader regulatory shift that may influence future emissions compliance, refrigerant policy, and sustainability strategies across the industry.

Industry Opposition

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) criticized the administration’s decision to eliminate the longstanding Endangerment Finding, arguing the move undermines science-based climate policy and public health protections.

In a statement, senior policy counsel Elizabeth Beardsley said USGBC will continue advancing low-carbon building practices and supporting states, cities, and businesses pursuing emissions reductions despite federal rollbacks. The group emphasized the built environment’s central role in addressing climate risks and pledged ongoing collaboration with local governments and private-sector partners.

For HVACR professionals, the response underscores continued market demand for energy-efficient systems, high-performance buildings, and carbon-reduction solutions—even as federal regulatory direction shifts.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) also warned that the EPA’s repeal of greenhouse gas standards for cars and trucks will eliminate projected fuel and maintenance savings and increase long-term transportation costs for households and businesses. ACEEE estimates the rollback removes $61 billion in annual consumer savings and would have saved the average driver more than $10,000 over a vehicle’s lifetime under the prior standards.

While focused on transportation, ACEEE warns the decision reflects a wider deregulatory trend that could reshape federal climate policy, affecting energy markets, electrification strategies, and long-term efficiency investments relevant to HVACR contractors.

ACEEE filed comments opposing the rule in September. 

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) also announced strong opposition to the EPA’s proposal to rescind the finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health, calling the move a setback for climate leadership and sustainable design. 

FAIA 2026 AIA President Illya Azaroff issued a statement, "While the administration frames this as a 'deregulatory victory,' it in fact threatens the economic stability and safety of the built environment."

Azaroff's statement goes on to say that for the past 15 years, the architecture, engineering, and construction sector has operated under science-based standards aimed at protecting public health and reducing emissions through high-performance buildings and advanced technologies. It emphasizes that buildings account for roughly 42% of global carbon dioxide emissions and are closely tied to transportation and energy systems, making coordinated policy essential. The group contends that dismantling federal emissions standards introduces instability into the $1.6 trillion construction industry, weakens U.S. climate leadership, and threatens progress on carbon reduction. While reaffirming architects’ commitment to science-driven, resilient design, the statement urges federal leaders to maintain policies grounded in credible science and long-term risk management.

If finalized as proposed, no industries would need to submit reports with 2025 data. However, EPA is proposing to extend the March 31 reporting deadline until June 10 This extension, if finalized before March 31, would allow EPA time to issue a final rule prior to the regulatory deadline for reporting year 2025. For more information, visit Rulemaking Notices for GHG Reporting.

 
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