Twenty-three states, led by New York and California, along with cities, counties, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro sued President Donald Trump’s administration to challenge its decision to revoke a key scientific finding that underpins U.S. climate regulations.
Key Takeaways
Twenty-three states sued President Trump’s administration to challenge its decision to revoke a key scientific finding that underpins U.S. climate regulations. The legal challenge targets the EPA's move to terminate the government’s 2009 conclusion that climate change endangers human health and the environment, as well as the repeal of federal vehicle emissions rules.
- Twenty-three states led by New York and California filed a lawsuit against Trump administration over its decision to revoke key scientific finding on climate change
- The legal challenge targets EPA's move to terminate 2009 conclusion that climate change endangers human health and environment, as well as repeal of federal vehicle emissions rules
- Coalition includes states such as Michigan, Connecticut, Virginia, cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles; U.S. Virgin Islands and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also suing EPA
- Trump administration claims Clean Air Act does not apply to carbon dioxide and other planet-warming pollutants
- Environmental groups argue that the move will increase gasoline prices by as much as 9% over next decade
The legal challenge was filed against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, targeting the agency's move last month to terminate the government’s 2009 conclusion that climate change endangers human health and the environment. The lawsuit also challenges the EPA’s decision to repeal federal rules for all vehicles from model years 2012 to 2027 that limit greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions.
The coalition includes states such as Michigan, Connecticut, and Virginia, alongside cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. The lawsuit aims to reinstate the endangerment finding and reverse the move to repeal all limits on standards for planet-warming emissions from motor vehicles.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James stated that instead of helping Americans face climate change realities, the Trump administration has chosen denial by repealing critical protections foundational to the federal government’s response to climate change. California Attorney General Rob Bonta added that this unlawful rescission is not about cutting 'red tape', but rather prioritizing Big Oil profits over public health.
The EPA claimed that the Clean Air Act does not apply to carbon dioxide and other planet-warming pollutants, arguing that the law is only meant to regulate pollution “that harms health or the environment through local and regional exposure.” Environmental groups argue that the move will increase gasoline prices by as much as 9% over the next decade, adding over $3 billion per year in fuel costs for U.S. drivers by 2035.
A coalition of advocacy groups also sued the Trump administration last month over the revocation of the finding, stating that the decision would harm public health and welfare. Peter Zalzal from the Environmental Defense Fund noted that repealing the Endangerment Finding endangers all of us, leading to more pollution, higher costs, and thousands of avoidable deaths.
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