The Trump administration is gearing up to try to revoke one of the most overreaching, unscientific regulatory edifices ever erected: the EPA’s 2009 “endangerment finding.” News broke this week that the Environmental Protection Agency has drafted a plan to rescind this cornerstone of federal climate policy, which declared that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane pose a danger to human health and welfare.
If this move succeeds, it would limit the federal government’s ability to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from cars, power plants, and industries—a prospect that has the climate alarmist crowd clutching their pearls. And frankly, it’s about time someone challenged this rank absurdity.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane to 2009, when the Obama-era EPA, emboldened by the 2007 Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA, decided to anoint itself the arbiter of America’s energy future. The endangerment finding was born, asserting that CO2 – literally plant food, and the fundamental building block for all life on planet Earth – is actually a “pollutant” that “endangers public health” as defined under the Clean Air Act.
This vast expansion of the regulatory state wasn’t based on some groundbreaking scientific discovery but rather on a political agenda dressed up in green rhetoric. The finding has since provided the legal foundation for a slew of regulations, from tailpipe emissions standards to power plant rules, all designed to choke the fossil fuel industry and push the U.S. toward a so-called “clean energy” utopia that exists only in the fever dreams of climate activists.
Now, the Trump EPA, led by Administrator Lee Zeldin, appears poised to dismantle this house of cards. Zeldin’s draft proposal argues that the EPA overstepped its authority by issuing such a sweeping determination.
The plan focuses on a legal argument that the EPA’s administrator lacks the power to make broad proclamations about greenhouse gases without specific congressional authorization. This is a direct jab at the 2007 Supreme Court decision, a judicial overreach that gave unelected bureaucrats a blank check to regulate the economy. It is key to also remember that that decision came at a time when the Chevron Deference, which the Court did away with a year ago, was still in effect.
Adopted in 1984, the Chevron Deference held that courts must defer to the judgment of regulators when interpreting the congressional intent of federal statutes. But the Clean Air Act was never designed to regulate CO2, a point even the late Rep. John Dingell, a co-author of the law, made clear.
Of course, the climate alarm lobby will drag this fight into the courts, so overturning the finding will not be easy. The EPA must navigate a minefield of procedural requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act, and the alarmists will try to overwhelm the courts with claims that climate change has only grown since 2009, asserting that every extreme weather event somehow proves their case.
But the Trump administration isn’t denying climate change outright; it’s questioning whether the EPA has the legal authority to act as America’s climate czar. This is a fight worth having, because if the agency can regulate CO2 without clear congressional approval, what’s stopping it from declaring water vapor a pollutant next?
The bigger picture here illustrates the absurdity of the energy transition itself. The endangerment finding has been a cudgel to force a shift away from reliable, affordable fossil fuels toward a fantasy of windmills and solar panels that can’t power a modern economy. The U.S. is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, but even if we zeroed out emissions tomorrow, global temperatures would barely budge without similar action from China and India.
Meanwhile, Americans bear the brunt of higher energy costs and a less reliable grid. Rescinding the endangerment finding could free up the economy to innovate without the EPA’s heavy hand, letting market forces—not bureaucrats—drive energy and climate solutions.
This move is a bold step toward dismantling the regulatory state’s stranglehold on American energy. It won’t be quick or easy, and the climate zealots will fight tooth and nail. But if the Trump administration can pull it off, it’ll be a victory for common sense over green dogma, a win for innovation over regulation. A long, hard fight lies ahead, but it is one worth having, and which is long overdue.
David Blackmon is a contributor to The Daily Caller News Foundation, an energy writer, and consultant based in Texas. He spent 40 years in the oil and gas business, where he specialized in public policy and communications.
Christina Marie Chapman of Litchfield Park, Arizona, was sentenced to 102 months in prison for her role in a scheme that facilitated North Korean IT workers in obtaining remote positions at over 300 U.S. companies.
Chapman helped generate $17 million in illicit revenue for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss in the District of Columbia, also includes three years of supervised release, forfeiture of $284,555 intended for North Korean operatives, and a $176,850 judgment.
Chapman pleaded guilty on February 11, 2025, to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Chapman’s scheme was one of the largest in North Korean IT worker fraud cases prosecuted by the Department of Justice. It involved 68 U.S. citizens’ identities and defrauded 309 U.S. businesses, including Fortune 500 companies such as a major television network, a Silicon Valley tech firm, an aerospace manufacturer, an American automaker, a luxury retail chain, and a media company.
“Chapman made the wrong calculation: short-term personal gains that inflict harm on our citizens and support a foreign adversary will have severe long-term consequences,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “I encourage companies to remain vigilant of these cyber threats and warn individuals who may be tempted by similar schemes to take heed of today’s sentence.”
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia said, “North Korea is not just a threat to the homeland from afar. It is an enemy within. It is perpetrating fraud on American citizens, American companies, and American banks. It is a threat to Main Street in every sense of the word.”
Chapman operated a “laptop” farm from her Arizona home, hosting and managing laptops sent by U.S. companies under the false idea that the work was performed domestically.
She organized these devices, labeling them with the associated company and stolen identity.
Additionally, Chapman shipped 49 laptops and other devices to locations overseas, including a city in China near the North Korea border.
A search warrant executed in October 2023 led to the seizure of over 90 laptops from her residence.
The scheme also involved falsifying payroll records, forging checks, and funneling wages through Chapman’s U.S. financial accounts to overseas recipients, falsely reporting income to the IRS and Social Security Administration under stolen identities.
North Korea IT workers, using false or stolen U.S. identities, targeted high-profile companies and even attempted employment at two different U.S. government agencies, though they were unsuccessful.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
During its July 24th Contingency Open Meeting, the Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC) unanimously assigned the construction cost of a massive 1.5-million-gallon subterranean water tank to the Sedona customers of Arizona Water Company. The decision follows a nearly four-decade efffort to find a location for the water tank that was agreeable with the City of Sedona and local residents.
According to the AZCC, the “extra costs incurred” by the water tank, concealed with a fake home, will fall “solely on the Sedona customers of Arizona Water Company.” However, Pinetop Lakes, Munds Park, and Payson will also see a significant rate increase.
According to a press release from the AZCC, for Sedona residents, the estimated rate increase is 45%, which would bring the average residential bill to approximately $60 per month. Meanwhile, other Northern Group customers will see an increase of roughly 34%, with a billing estimate of $52 per month.
The ACC held a very robust and meticulous discussion w/Arizona Water Company and Community members during Thursday's Meeting about who's responsible for extra costs from aesthetic additions to utility infrastructure. A new underground water tank in Sedona was a top issue. pic.twitter.com/P2FdduMn1U
— Arizona Corporation Commission (@CorpCommAZ) July 24, 2025
Prior to the meeting, the notion of assigning the costs to the ratepayers outside of Sedona was opposed by Republican Arizona Rep. David Marshall (R-LD7), who publicly condemned it in a press release. Marshall cited the “City’s requirement that Arizona Water Company bury a new water storage tank underground and disguise it with a fake home built on top—an aesthetic demand that made the project one of the most expensive the utility has ever undertaken.”
Rep. Marshall stated, “Arizona Water Company’s northern Arizona ratepayers—including the good people of Pinetop-Lakeside, Heber-Overgaard, Rimrock, Munds Park, and the Village of Oak Creek—did not ask for these costly design features. Quite frankly, it’s absurd to ask them to fork over millions to subsidize the excessive, big-government design mandates of a city nearly 200 miles away. This is a matter of fairness and affordability. Sedona chose to inflate the cost of this project for its own benefit. The rest of northern Arizona shouldn’t be stuck footing the bill for Sedona’s multi-million-dollar expectations.”
Rep. David Marshall Condemns Sedona’s Proposed Multi-Million-Dollar Cost Shift to Other Communities’ Ratepayers
“Arizona Water Company’s northern Arizona ratepayers—including the good people of Pinetop-Lakeside, Heber-Overgaard, Rimrock, Munds Park, and the Village of Oak… pic.twitter.com/D2IZhsiPtw
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) July 23, 2025
According to the AZCC release, an amendment to the decision by Commissioner Rachel Walden resulted in the “non-operational aesthetic expenses” being shifted to Sedona Residents. “My job is to ensure expenses are just, reasonable, and prudent,” Walden said. “That is why I offered my amendment to ensure that non-operational aesthetic expenses will not be paid for by those who do not benefit from them. I thank my fellow Commissioners for fully supporting my amendment.”
The Corporation Commission said in a statement, “The Commission deemed a new tank was prudent and appropriate; however, it was adamant that the extra costs from the aesthetic requirements were not to be assigned to the other 15,000 customers who do not reside in Sedona. The City and residents expressed disapproval for construction of an above ground water tank, which is the conventional design. The Sedona Project is one of only three water tanks that have been undergrounded in the state, by Commission regulated companies.“
The construction tab for the East Sedona Water Storage Tank and Booster Project came to approximately $20 million, as reported by the Arizona Daily Independent. The Arizona Water Company explained that to obtain approval for a conditional use permit (CUP) by the Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council, it was required to comply with requirements to bury the storage tank and “camouflage” the tank by building a structure on top of the tank that resembles a home for aesthetic purposes, so that it will blend in with the neighborhood and scenery.
“Hopefully this is a strong signal to all water companies, local governments, and residents moving forward that if you require special conditions or place limitations on infrastructure based upon aesthetic preferences, you may be responsible for those extra costs,” said Chair Thompson. “I’m sympathetic to the majority of the Sedona customers who will be solely responsible for these added costs, but it is not an equitable requirement for the 15,000 customers in other communities to be responsible for millions in extra costs because a vocal minority didn’t like the way a water tank looked.”
“After a robust discussion today, the Commission reached a Decision in Arizona Water Co.’s Northern Group’s rate case that strikes a fine balance between ratepayer protections and company viability,” Commissioner René Lopez said. “Thursday’s Decision also signals to ratepayers and local governments that, even in a consolidated group, the Commission will equitably allocate costs to certain customer groups when extraordinary expenses are incurred at their request or for their exclusive benefit. Nevertheless, the compromises and decisions made ensures ratepayers continue to have access to reliable and safe drinking water in some of Arizona’s most beautiful terrains.”
“The final determination of rates for Arizona Water came after a very thoughtful discussion at the Commission about the additional requirements by the City of Sedona for the undergrounding of the water tank and the appropriateness of the financial burden on other ratepayers within their northern division,” stated Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson, who voted in support of the amended case. “I am appreciative of my fellow Commissioners’ support for my amendment that requires the company to present possible improvements to their customer assistance programs within their next rate case.”
“I’m pleased the Commission directed Arizona Water to engage in discussions with the City of Sedona about funds to help cover the incremental costs to bury the East Sedona Storage Tank,” Vice Chair Nick Myers added. “Because the City required and is directly benefitting from undergrounding the tank, it’s only fair that they contribute financially to cover the City-imposed aesthetic costs. Otherwise, the entire incremental cost of burying the tank will be borne by Arizona Water’s Sedona System customers.”
The Scottsdale Police Department announced the retirement of Aiden, a beloved 20-year-old Percheron/Thoroughbred cross breed.
Aiden had a 13-year service with the Scottsdale Police Mounted Unit and was known for his intelligence, athleticism and gentle demeanor.
He will now embark on a new journey as a therapy horse at Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship, continuing his service to the community.
Aiden joined the Scottsdale PD Mounted Unit in June 2012 at the age of seven, following a successful career in Hunter/Jumper competitions. Recommended by the Mounted Unit Veterinarian for his exceptional training and temperament, Aiden quickly adapted to police work, becoming a reliable member of the unit.
Standing 18 hands tall (six feet tall at the shoulder), and weighing around 1,700 pounds, this white-coated gentle giant became a familiar presence across Scottsdale.
Throughout Aiden’s career, he patrolled Old Town Scottsdale on weekend nights, engaging with the community. He also served high-profile events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Super Bowl, and New Year’s Eve celebrations in Old Town.
Aiden also represented the department at police memorials, ceremonial events, and rode in several Parada del Sol parades.
His calm presence was also very helpful during many protests and civil unrest around the Valley, earning him the trust of his officer partners, Debbie Shuhandler, Aaron Bolin, and Keegan DeShotel.
Beyond his patrol duties, Aiden was also a community ambassador, participating in Mounted Unit education demonstrations, neighborhood block parties, and numerous school visits.
In retirement, Aiden found a perfect new home at Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship, a Scottsdale based nonprofit dedicated to providing therapy to people with disabilities and veterans.
Paired with a retired police officer who attends lessons at Camelot, Aiden is already making a positive impact, bringing comfort to those he serves.
Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship, located in North Scottsdale, has been serving the community since 1980, offering programs that promote riding and horsemanship as a means of therapy, improving strength, coordination, balance, and self-esteem.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
An error in the Pima County Recorder’s Office has reportedly resulted in approximately 1,294 erroneous ballots being mailed to voters for the August 5 city of Tucson primary election. The error was acknowledged in a statement from Democrat Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly’s office, with the problem isolated to Wards 3, 5, and 6, where voters were sent ballots for the incorrect party’s primary election.
According to the Tucson Sentinel, Lane Mandle, chief of staff to Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure, told reporters Saturday that county election officials are working to determine precisely how many of the incorrect ballots were sent, but the maximum number provided was 1,294. Mandle noted that she was not aware if any of the incorrect ballots had been cast, but insisted that the City Clerk’s Office is working to correct the matter.
“We’re not at the very last minute here,” Mandle told the outlet. “We’re gonna figure out a way. Nobody’s gonna be disenfranchised.”
Tucson, if you got an incorrect ballot in the mail for the city council election, there's a # to call at the bottom.
Recorder's Office and city tell me they will be putting out another news release today with more info, and I've asked lots of ?s, waiting on answers… more TK pic.twitter.com/KLJBXrUVp0
In a post to X on Sunday, Rep. Alma Hernandez (D-LD20) called out the Democrat Pima County recorder saying, “This is what happens when we elect unqualified people to office. And this is NOT the first time Pima County Recorder has made a significant mistake with ballots and dates.”
This is what happens when we elect unqualified people to office. And this is NOT the first time Pima County Recorder has made a significant mistake with ballots and dates. Voters can no longer mail back their ballots with a week left until Election Day; it is unreasonable to say…
— (((Rep.Alma Hernandez))) (@almaforarizona) July 28, 2025
In a Monday press release, the County Recorder announced that the error originated from a necessary override required to manage the information for the three overlapping elections.
“The error was a result of a need for Recorder’s Office staff to override a mechanism within the data system that prevents party changes during an active election,” the office said. “The override was necessary because of the overlap of three elections: the Congressional District 7 Special Primary, the City of Tucson Primary, and the City of South Tucson Special Recall.”
🗳️ Attention Tucson Voters: Nearly 1,300 voters in Wards 3, 5, & 6 may have received incorrect primary ballots due to a Pima County Recorder data error.
Make sure your vote counts—check your registration info and ballot status here: https://t.co/91PUrrwxkQ
— Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) July 28, 2025
The system changes were made on July 17th, following the Congressional District 7 election, according to the county.
“The issue was identified on July 25, after three voters reported receiving the wrong party’s ballot through the mail. The data error has since been corrected, and the City of Tucson is assessing the situation to determine how best to provide a remedy for City Voters,” the Recorder’s Office added.
The County Recorder said that voters who were impacted by the error “are still eligible to get a ballot at any Ballot Replacement Site now through (Aug. 5) Election Day.”
The officials concluded, “The City of Tucson and the Pima County Recorder’s Office are committed to maintaining transparency and trust in the electoral process. We remain committed to ensuring all voters are able to vote in elections for which they are eligible. We are conducting a full audit of our systems and procedures to prevent such incidents in the future. Voters with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the City of Tucson for assistance (520) 791- 3221.”
For more information on the City of Tucson Primary Election, click here.
Correction: A previous version of this article listed ballot replacement sites for a different election. That information has been removed from this story.
