Coalition Sues EPA in D.C. Circuit Over Repeal of 2009 Climate Endangerment Finding

Overview

• A coalition of health and environmental groups filed suit in the D.C. Circuit challenging the EPA rule that revokes the 2009 endangerment finding and scraps federal vehicle greenhouse-gas standards for model years 2012–2027.
• The case names EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and the agency as defendants and alleges the action is unlawful and dismantles essential climate safeguards.
• Plaintiffs include the American Lung Association, American Public Health Association, Union of Concerned Scientists, Natural Resources Defense Council, Public Citizen, Sierra Club, and the Center for Biological Diversity.
• The EPA defends the rollback as a cost-saving move it says will save U.S. taxpayers about $1.3 trillion, and President Donald Trump has touted it as the country’s biggest deregulation.
• Experts warn the repeal erases emissions requirements for cars and trucks and could pave the way to rescind other rules, even though a 2007 Supreme Court ruling led to the 2009 finding that supported such standards.