Trump cancels federal climate regulations. Here’s what it means for Michigan

February 13, 2026

The Trump administration has eliminated the EPA's 2009 "endangerment finding" that classified greenhouse gases as harmful to public health, removing the legal basis for federal climate regulations on power plants, vehicles, and industry. While officials claim this deregulation will save industry over $1. 3 trillion and reduce consumer costs, these projections ignore health impacts from increased pollution and higher fuel expenses from less efficient vehicles.

Who is affected

Michigan residents and the state's economy (projected $5.5 billion GDP loss by 2035)
Children and seniors (increased asthma attacks, heart disease, and hospital visits)
Hundreds of Michiganders killed annually by air pollution from automobiles and power plants
Michigan's automobile industry (General Motors, Ford, Stellantis/Big Three)
Consumers Energy and DTE Energy
American consumers and drivers
Environmental groups and Democrats
Power plants and industrial facilities
EV and battery project investors

What action is being taken

The EPA has repealed the endangerment finding
The Trump administration has canceled federal emission limits for motor vehicles
The administration is preparing to rescind limits on fossil fuel power plants
The administration has ordered Consumers Energy to keep operating the Campbell coal plant beyond its planned May closure date through repeated three-month extensions
The administration has redirected federal spending away from green energy and EVs toward fossil fuels
The administration has rescinded federal tax incentives for EV buyers and canceled Biden-era conservation initiatives

Why it matters

This represents the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history and fundamentally removes the EPA's legal authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, contradicting overwhelming scientific consensus about climate change. Michigan is among the hardest-hit states economically from these rollbacks. The repeal gives polluters unrestricted ability to emit greenhouse gases, leading to increased air pollution that causes serious health problems including asthma, heart disease, and premature death, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. The regulatory uncertainty undermines the auto industry's ability to make long-term business decisions requiring years of development. While the administration claims cost savings, these figures ignore the costs of pollution-related health impacts, reduced fuel efficiency, and the trillions of dollars expected from climate-related extreme weather events by midcentury.

What's next

Critics have promised lawsuits
Legal analysts expect the dispute to reach the U.S. Supreme Court
Michigan utilities will continue complying with the state's 2023 law requiring 100% clean energy by 2040
Consumers Energy plans to decommission the Campbell coal plant (despite temporary extensions)
DTE Energy remains committed to closing the Monroe coal-fired power plant in 2032
U.S. automakers are predicted to continue transitioning to EVs at a slower pace to compete in overseas markets

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com