UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Trump dismantles legal basis for U.S. climate rules

Question 1

The 2009 Endangerment Finding, recently rescinded by the U.S. administration in February 2026, was originally issued under which one of the following statutory provisions?

Accepted Answer

Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act

Answer

Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act

Answer

Section 109 of the Clean Air Act

Answer

Section 115 of the Clean Air Act

Question 2

With reference to the 2009 EPA Endangerment Finding and its February 2026 rescission, consider the following statements:
1. The 2009 Endangerment Finding was issued under the Obama administration and identified six greenhouse gases as endangering public health and welfare.
2. The 2026 rescission formally amends the Clean Air Act to extinguish the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases.
3. Unlike the 2009 finding, the 2026 rescission simultaneously eliminated greenhouse gas emission standards for automobiles.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 3

Which one of the following U.S. Supreme Court rulings (2007) first directed the Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether greenhouse gases qualify as 'air pollutants' endangering public health under the Clean Air Act, thereby paving the way for the 2009 Endangerment Finding?

Accepted Answer

Massachusetts v. EPA

Answer

American Electric Power Co. v. Connecticut

Answer

West Virginia v. EPA

Answer

Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA

Question 4

In the United States, which one of the following federal agencies is the regulating body that issued the 2009 Endangerment Finding and was tasked with operationalising greenhouse gas standards for vehicles and power plants under the Clean Air Act?

Accepted Answer

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Answer

Department of Energy (DOE)

Answer

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Answer

Department of the Interior (DOI)

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Trump dismantles legal basis for U.S. climate rules

Q1. The 2009 Endangerment Finding, recently rescinded by the U.S. administration in February 2026, was originally issued under which one of the following statutory provisions?

Q3. Which one of the following U.S. Supreme Court rulings (2007) first directed the Environmental Protection Agency to determine whether greenhouse gases qualify as 'air pollutants' endangering public health under the Clean Air Act, thereby paving the way for the 2009 Endangerment Finding?

Q4. In the United States, which one of the following federal agencies is the regulating body that issued the 2009 Endangerment Finding and was tasked with operationalising greenhouse gas standards for vehicles and power plants under the Clean Air Act?