E.P.A. Faces First Lawsuit Over Its Killing of Major Climate Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) is facing its first lawsuit over the elimination of the endangerment finding, a major climate rule. Environmental and health groups have filed the lawsuit, arguing that the E.P.A.'s decision was unlawful and disregarded scientific evidence. The endangerment finding was a key component of the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The Trump administration repealed the plan in 2019 and revoked the endangerment finding, a move that is now being challenged in court. The lawsuit contends that the E.P.A.'s decision was not supported by the available scientific data and that the agency failed to follow proper procedures in the decision-making process. The case is expected to make its way to the Supreme Court, where the ultimate fate of the endangerment finding will be determined. This legal battle represents a significant test for the E.P.A.'s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and the broader efforts to address climate change at the federal level.