NY AG James Challenges Trump Climate Rollback

New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken a bold stand against the Trump administration’s environmental policies, leading a coalition of 39 states, counties, and cities in a legal challenge that targets the reversal of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s 2009 endangerment finding.

“Across our country, communities are already suffering from climate disasters,” James declared. “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.”

The 2009 endangerment finding had established that greenhouse gas emissions drive climate change and pose a threat to public health and welfare. The administration’s rescission of this finding effectively removed all federal greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles, arguing there was no legal basis for regulating such emissions without the endangerment finding.

Despite objections from Attorney General James and her coalition, the EPA moved forward with the rollback. Today, the coalition has filed a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, arguing that the repeal contradicts scientific evidence and the Clean Air Act’s statutory requirements.

Joining James in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, and 18 other states. They are also supported by a range of cities, counties, and state departments, including the District of Columbia and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

This legal challenge represents a significant pushback against the administration’s rollback of environmental protections, aiming to protect public health and safeguard the planet from further climate damage.

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