Trump EPA Repeal Cites $1.3tn Savings, Analysis Shows $1.5tn Cost
EPA finalized repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding on Feb. 12, 2026, claiming $1.3tn savings while its regulatory analysis projects $1.5tn in net costs and higher gasoline prices.
Overview
On Feb. 12, 2026, President Donald Trump and EPA chief Lee Zeldin finalized repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding and eliminated federal greenhouse gas standards for vehicles and engines.
The EPA said the repeal will save $1.3 trillion by 2055, attributing roughly $1.1 trillion to lower vehicle prices and $200 billion to reduced EV purchases and charging infrastructure spending.
A regulatory-impact chart in the EPA analysis shows $1.4 trillion in added costs plus $40 billion in other costs, prompting critics including Kathy Harris of the Natural Resources Defense Council to say the costs outweigh benefits.
The analysis projects gasoline prices will rise about 75 cents per gallon by 2050, the repeal could increase greenhouse gas emissions roughly 10% by 2055, and advocacy groups estimate up to $4.7 trillion in climate-linked costs.
Analysts at Cox Automotive say changes to fuel-economy rules historically do not translate into material sticker-price relief and tend to affect production gradually over multiple model years.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story skeptically by juxtaposing Trump's 'bring car prices tumbling down' claim with historical price data and critical expert reactions. Editorial verbs such as 'slashing' and 'gut,' selection of environmental and consumer advocates, and placing data and skeptical analyses immediately after the quote collectively cast doubt on the administration's pricing promise.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The 2009 Endangerment Finding was a scientific determination by the EPA under President Obama that greenhouse gases are air pollutants that endanger public health and welfare, enabling regulation of GHG emissions from vehicles and other sources under the Clean Air Act.
The EPA attributes the $1.3 trillion savings by 2055 to lower vehicle prices ($1.1 trillion) and reduced spending on EV purchases and charging infrastructure ($200 billion).[3]
The EPA's regulatory analysis projects $1.4 trillion in added costs plus $40 billion in other costs, totaling about $1.5 trillion in net costs, along with gasoline prices rising 75 cents per gallon by 2050.
The repeal could increase greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 10% by 2055, with advocacy groups estimating up to $4.7 trillion in climate-linked costs.
Litigation challenging the repeal is expected to be filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.[1]
History
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