Environmental and health groups filed a lawsuit in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Feb. 18 to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Feb. 12 rule to rescind the endangerment finding.
The endangerment finding is included in a 2009 rule that required the agency to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions because they threatened the health and welfare of Americans.
The coalition, which includes the American Public Health Association, the Environmental Defense Fund (EJF) and the American Lung Association, argues the repeal is illegal under the Clean Air Act and the Administrative Procedures Act.
EPA’s final rule rescinding the endangerment finding removes emission standards for cars and trucks and could lead to the agency dismantling requirements that the oil and gas industry reduce methane emissions and electric generators use cleaner fuels.
The final rule, which EPA described as the "single largest deregulatory action in US history," is part of President Donald Trump’s stated mission to slash climate regulations. The rule also prevents the EPA, even under future presidents, from issuing new rules to limit greenhouse gases.
In a press release, EPA said the rule will save American taxpayers over $1.3 trillion.
