Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark announced on Mar. 19 that she has joined a coalition of 24 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 12 cities and counties in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to rescind its 2009 Endangerment Finding regarding greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.
The issue is significant because the Endangerment Finding was based on scientific analysis confirming that emissions from motor vehicles contribute to climate change and pose risks to public health and welfare. The EPA’s reversal could eliminate federal standards for vehicle greenhouse gas emissions, which have led to reductions in pollution over the past decade.
According to Clark, “EPA’s rescission is based on flawed interpretations of the law — previously rejected by the Supreme Court — that the agency lacks authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.” She also said that “the rule violates EPA’s legal obligations, fundamental principles of administrative law, and the agency’s mission to protect public health and welfare.”
The coalition includes attorneys general from states such as California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, Washington and others. Several major cities—including Los Angeles; New York City; Boston; Chicago; Columbus; Cleveland—and counties such as Harris County in Texas are also participating in this legal action.
Clark said this lawsuit follows previous efforts by state attorneys general and local governments who submitted comment letters urging EPA not to move forward with its proposal last fall. These letters argued that rescinding these protections would violate established law and scientific consensus while endangering communities already facing environmental harms.
Observers will be watching closely as this case moves forward due to its potential impact on national climate policy and regulatory standards for vehicle emissions.
