Full Breakdown
States and Cities Sue EPA Over Repeal of Endangerment Finding
3/21/2026, 2:03:32 PM
Legal Challenge to EPA's Repeal of Climate Regulations
On March 18, 2026, a coalition of 24 states, 10 cities, and five counties filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This legal action challenges the Trump administration's recent repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding, which had established that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare. The repeal of this finding, which served as the legal foundation for numerous climate regulations under the Clean Air Act, has significant implications for greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles and stationary sources like power plants.
The lawsuit is spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alongside her counterparts from Massachusetts, California, and Connecticut. James criticized the Trump administration's decision, stating, “Instead of helping Americans face our new reality, the Trump administration has chosen denial, repealing critical protections that are foundational to the federal government’s response to climate change.” Massachusetts Attorney General Joy Campbell echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the real effects of climate change on residents and the economy.
Broader Implications of the Repeal
The repeal of the endangerment finding could lead to the dismantling of existing greenhouse gas emissions standards, potentially exacerbating climate change impacts. The 2009 finding had been pivotal in regulating emissions from various sources, including motor vehicles and power plants. The lawsuit asserts that the EPA's actions abandon its core responsibilities to protect public health and the environment.
In addition to the states leading the lawsuit, other states involved include Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands. The cities participating in the lawsuit include Albuquerque, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
Official Responses and Political Context
EPA spokeswoman Brigit Hirsch responded to the lawsuit by asserting that the plaintiffs are motivated by political agendas rather than legal merits. She stated that the EPA had “carefully considered and reevaluated the legal foundation” of the endangerment finding in light of recent court decisions, including a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that limited the application of the Clean Air Act in regulating carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
The legal landscape surrounding the endangerment finding has evolved since the Supreme Court's 2007 ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA, which classified greenhouse gases as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Courts have consistently upheld the endangerment finding against legal challenges, including a notable decision by the D.C. appeals court in 2023.
What's Next
The lawsuit is expected to progress through the courts, with the potential for the case to reach the Supreme Court, which currently holds a more conservative majority than in 2007. The outcome of this legal battle could have lasting implications for U.S. climate policy and regulatory frameworks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Instead of helping Americans face our new reality, the Trump administration has chosen denial, repealing critical protections that are foundational to the federal government’s response to climate change,” — Letitia James, New York Attorney General
- “Climate change is real, and it’s already affecting our residents and our economy,” — Joy Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General
- “are clearly motivated by politics,” — Brigit Hirsch, EPA Spokeswoman
