A coalition of climate change activists filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Wednesday, aiming to halt the relaxing of environmental regulations.
The legal action challenges the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent decision to eliminate a crucial “hazard finding” established during the Obama era, which underpinned significant climate change regulations. This finding, which officials announced plans to reverse last week, contended that pollution and climate change endanger Americans’ health. The lawsuit specifically targets the EPA and its administrator, Lee Zeldin.
Gretchen Goldman, president and CEO of the Union of Concerned Scientists and one of the organizations behind the lawsuit, expressed strong disapproval. She stated, “The EPA’s hazardous findings and its removal of emission limits show a total failure to protect public health and adhere to its obligations under the Clean Air Act.” She went on to argue that the administration’s actions are not based on facts and go against public interest and the best available science.
Almost 20 environmental organizations joined the lawsuit, including the American Public Health Association, the American Lung Association, and Sierra Club, among others.
As of now, the EPA has not offered any comments regarding the lawsuit.
A 2009 Endangerment Study identified six greenhouse gases that the Obama administration deemed a “threat to public health and welfare.” These findings previously justified a variety of EPA climate regulations, like stricter fuel economy standards and limits on power plant emissions.
In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Zeldin praised the deregulatory approach as a reduction of governmental red tape, declaring it “the largest act of deregulation in American history.”
Last week, President Trump, accompanied by Zeldin and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, announced a new initiative to procure electricity from coal-fired power plants.
During this event, the Washington Coal Club recognized Trump as the “Undisputed Coal Champion.” Throughout his presidency, Trump has been critical of global warming claims and climate regulations, notably withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord soon after taking office in 2017.
