The Trump administration said on Tuesday it will rescind the long-standing finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health, removing the legal foundation for all US greenhouse gas regulations.

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If finalised, the repeal would end current limits on greenhouse gas pollution from vehicle tailpipes, power plants, chimneys and other sources, and hamper future US efforts to combat global warming.

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s plan to rescind the “endangerment finding” at an event at a car showroom in Indiana, alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and called it the largest deregulatory action in US history.

The proposal, which needs to undergo a public comment period, would cut US$54 billion in costs annually through the repeal of all greenhouse gas standards, including the vehicle tailpipe standard, he said.

Environmental groups blasted the move, saying it spells the end of the road for US action against climate change, even as the impacts of global warming become more severe.

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“With today’s announcement, the EPA is telling us in no uncertain terms that US efforts to address climate change are over. For the industries that contribute most to climate change, the message is ‘pollute more’. For everyone feeling the pain of climate disasters, the message is ‘you’re on our own’,” said Abigail Dillen, president of Earthjustice.