Trump’s EPA rollback on climate rules may reignite legal battles between states and the federal government

The Trump administration’s move to repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate greenhouse gases could trigger a new wave of lawsuits and state-led climate regulations, echoing past legal fights.

Marianne Lavelle reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• The EPA under President Trump has proposed rescinding the “endangerment finding,” which since 2009 has allowed the agency to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
• Legal experts say the EPA’s attempt to block state-level actions and lawsuits may not hold up in court, potentially leading to a renewed wave of litigation from states like Massachusetts and California.
• Industry and environmental advocates warn that ending the federal finding could lead to a fragmented system of state rules, raising costs and legal uncertainty for businesses.

Key quote:

“EPA is trying to thread an impossibly small needle.”

— Richard Revesz, dean emeritus of the New York University School of Law

Why this matters:

The endangerment finding has been a cornerstone of U.S. climate policy, giving the EPA the legal authority to treat greenhouse gases as pollutants. Its repeal would limit the federal government’s ability to regulate emissions tied to climate change and public health, even as scientific evidence on warming and its health impacts grows stronger. Without a national standard, states may impose their own climate laws, resulting in inconsistent policies and legal clashes that delay coordinated action. Such fragmentation could have serious consequences for air quality, energy costs, and the health of vulnerable populations exposed to rising heat and worsening air pollution.

Read more: California races to protect clean air rules after Trump rolls back emission waivers