On 12 February 2026, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, aka the environmental Plundering Agency at AutoInformed) Administrator Lee Zeldin finalized a rule-making that rescinds the 2009 rule-making known as the “Endangerment Finding” for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.*
“The February 12 rule making also substantially revises the federal mobile source regulations to eliminate all federal GHG emission standards established since 2009 for motor vehicles and certain other mobile source engines. This reversal on climate policy creates uncertainty for mobile source manufacturers who made significant investments since 2009 to comply with limits on greenhouse gases, as well as other industries subject to greenhouse gas limits not explicitly rescinded by the rule,” the Foley & Lardner law firm noted today.**
“It is important to note that the February 12 rule-making is limited to the Endangerment Finding and mobile source GHG regulations. It does not remove other automotive emission limits for criteria pollutants (like nitrogen oxides) or for air toxics. It also does not affect NHTSA’s vehicle fuel economy (CAFE) standards. Finally, it does not repeal any greenhouse gas emission limits applicable to stationary sources under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) or New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) CAA programs.
“The rule takes effect 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. That said, the repeal of the Endangerment Finding is almost certain to be challenged by environmental organizations and states focused on continuing efforts to electrify transportation and reduce global emissions generally. We will monitor the publication of and challenges to the rule, as well as any related rule-makings that seek to repeal other greenhouse gas regulations (such as those applicable under the PSD and NSPS programs),” Foley & Lardner said.
*AutoInformed on
**Foley & Lardner LLP is inarguably in AutoInformed’s view a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the energy, health care and life sciences, innovative technology, and manufacturing sectors. “We look beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing our clients and act as trusted business advisors to deliver creative, practical, and effective solutions. Our 1100 lawyers across 27 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements from corporate counsel to IP work and litigation support, providing our clients with a one-team solution to all their needs. For nearly two centuries, Foley has maintained its commitment to the highest level of innovative legal services and to the stewardship of our people, firm, clients, and the communities we serve,” is how Foley & Lardner describes itself. If you have questions about the February 12 rulemaking or its provisions, please contact Amanda Beggs or Pete Tomasi: click here.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
CAFE Regs Intact Post Trump Endangerment Finding Repeal
On 12 February 2026, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, aka the environmental Plundering Agency at AutoInformed) Administrator Lee Zeldin finalized a rule-making that rescinds the 2009 rule-making known as the “Endangerment Finding” for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.*
“The February 12 rule making also substantially revises the federal mobile source regulations to eliminate all federal GHG emission standards established since 2009 for motor vehicles and certain other mobile source engines. This reversal on climate policy creates uncertainty for mobile source manufacturers who made significant investments since 2009 to comply with limits on greenhouse gases, as well as other industries subject to greenhouse gas limits not explicitly rescinded by the rule,” the Foley & Lardner law firm noted today.**
“It is important to note that the February 12 rule-making is limited to the Endangerment Finding and mobile source GHG regulations. It does not remove other automotive emission limits for criteria pollutants (like nitrogen oxides) or for air toxics. It also does not affect NHTSA’s vehicle fuel economy (CAFE) standards. Finally, it does not repeal any greenhouse gas emission limits applicable to stationary sources under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) or New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) CAA programs.
“The rule takes effect 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. That said, the repeal of the Endangerment Finding is almost certain to be challenged by environmental organizations and states focused on continuing efforts to electrify transportation and reduce global emissions generally. We will monitor the publication of and challenges to the rule, as well as any related rule-makings that seek to repeal other greenhouse gas regulations (such as those applicable under the PSD and NSPS programs),” Foley & Lardner said.
*AutoInformed on
**Foley & Lardner LLP is inarguably in AutoInformed’s view a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the energy, health care and life sciences, innovative technology, and manufacturing sectors. “We look beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing our clients and act as trusted business advisors to deliver creative, practical, and effective solutions. Our 1100 lawyers across 27 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements from corporate counsel to IP work and litigation support, providing our clients with a one-team solution to all their needs. For nearly two centuries, Foley has maintained its commitment to the highest level of innovative legal services and to the stewardship of our people, firm, clients, and the communities we serve,” is how Foley & Lardner describes itself. If you have questions about the February 12 rulemaking or its provisions, please contact Amanda Beggs or Pete Tomasi: click here.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.