Story perspectives

24 States Sue Trump Over EPA Emissions Rollback

3/21/2026

50 3

Summary

Story summary

Coalition of 24 states led by New York Attorney General Letitia James filed suit against the Trump administration over revoking EPA's 2009 endangerment finding.
The 2009 finding held greenhouse gases threaten public health and underpinned EPA regulations.
The suit seeks to restore federal authority to regulate emissions and may merge with a parallel environmental groups case.
States argue EPA action violates legal standards and ignores science linking emissions to climate impacts.

History

Historical Context

In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts v. EPA that greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act, compelling the EPA to regulate them. Following this, the EPA issued its "Endangerment Finding" in December 2009, declaring that greenhouse gases threaten public health. The recent lawsuit by New York Attorney General Letitia James highlights ongoing conflicts over state versus federal environmental authority, potentially shaping future climate policy.

1 of 2

Story summary

Coalition of 24 states led by New York Attorney General Letitia James filed suit against the Trump administration over revoking EPA's 2009 endangerment finding.
The 2009 finding held greenhouse gases threaten public health and underpinned EPA regulations.
The suit seeks to restore federal authority to regulate emissions and may merge with a parallel environmental groups case.
States argue EPA action violates legal standards and ignores science linking emissions to climate impacts.

1 / 2