# 2026-03157: EPA Scraps Key Greenhouse Gas Rules for Cars and Trucks

2026-03157, Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding and Motor Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards Under the Clean Air Act, is a Federal Register rule from Environmental Protection Agency published 2026-02-18, effective 2026-04-20; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866 (as of 2026-11-04).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03157
- As of: 2026-11-04
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-03157
- Title: Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding and Motor Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards Under the Clean Air Act
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Environmental Protection Agency
- Citation: 91 FR 7686
- Published: 2026-02-18
- Effective: 2026-04-20
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: yes (OIRA_API)
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2060-AW71
- Last updated: 2026-11-04

## In one line

EPA Scraps Key Greenhouse Gas Rules for Cars and Trucks

## Summary

The EPA is rolling back its 2009 decision that said greenhouse gases from cars and trucks are harmful and must be limited. This means new rules that cut emissions from all types of vehicles are being canceled because the EPA says it doesn’t have the legal power to regulate these gases under the Clean Air Act. This change affects car makers and could shift how we handle vehicle pollution starting April 20, 2026.

## Abstract

In this action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is rescinding the Administrator's 2009 findings of contribution and endangerment and repealing all greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines to effectuate the best reading of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 202(a)(1). The EPA determines that CAA section 202(a)(1) does not authorize the Agency to prescribe emission standards in response to global climate change concerns for multiple reasons, including the best reading of the statutory terms "air pollution," "cause," "contribute," and "reasonably be anticipated to endanger." This statutory interpretation is corroborated by application of the major questions doctrine. The EPA further determines that GHG emission standards for new motor vehicles and engines do not impact in any material way the public health and welfare concerns identified in the Administrator's prior findings in 2009. On these multiple and independent bases, the EPA concludes that it lacks statutory authority to regulate GHG emissions in response to global climate change concerns under CAA section 202(a)(1), and is not finalizing the additional bases for repeal set out in the proposed rule.

## Effects PRIA read

- Repeal of Vehicle GHG Standards: benefit, high. The EPA is repealing all greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for new light‑duty, medium‑duty, and heavy‑duty motor vehicles and engines manufactured or imported for model years 2012 through 2027 and beyond. This repeal takes effect April 20, 2026. The EPA states these GHG standards had imposed…
- Rescission of 2009 Endangerment Finding: benefit, high. The EPA is rescinding its 2009 "Endangerment Finding" that had concluded greenhouse gases from motor vehicles may be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare under Clean Air Act section 202(a)(1). The Agency says removing that finding eliminates the legal basis for prescribing GHG emission…

## Related documents

- [2026-22082](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22082): Additional Reconsideration Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sour…, 2026-10-29
- [2026-21155](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21155): Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program: Reallocation of Additional 2025 Small Refinery Exemptions, 2026-10-16
- [2026-20849](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20849): Clean Water Act Hazardous Substance Facility Response Plans: Compliance Date Delay and Changes To Reflect Administration Policy, 2026-10-13
- [2026-19071](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19071): Partial Repeal of the Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units, 2026-09-17
- [2026-19072](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19072): Rescission of the Greenhouse Gas Findings for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants and Repeal of Regulations for Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Emiss…, 2026-09-17
- [2026-18317](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18317): Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”, 2026-09-09

## Sources
- [2026-03157 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/18/2026-03157/rescission-of-the-greenhouse-gas-endangerment-finding-and-motor-vehicle-greenhouse-gas-emission)
- [2026-03157 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-18/pdf/2026-03157.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-03155, Extension of Postponement of Effectiveness for Certain Provisions of Trichloroe…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03155)
- [Next: 2026-03170, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Ves…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03170)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03157 (as of 2026-11-04).