CLIMATE MATTERS: Arizona joins legal battle over EPA’s climate decision | Climate Matters

PHOENIX (KVOA) – A coalition of states, counties and cities is taking legal action against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in response to its attempt to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding. This finding, which links greenhouse gas pollution from motor vehicles to climate change and public health risks, is at the center of the challenge.

Attorney General Kris Mayes emphasized the urgency of this lawsuit, citing an extreme heat warning in Arizona due to a heatwave. “The science behind the 2009 Endangerment Finding is real and grounded in rigorous research,” Mayes said.

The 2009 Endangerment Finding was established following the 2007 Supreme Court decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, which confirmed the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The finding led to federal standards that have significantly reduced motor vehicle emissions. However, the EPA’s recent move to rescind these regulations disregards scientific evidence and legal precedents.

“The decision by the Trump administration to rescind the Endangerment Finding will only accelerate climate change,” Mayes said. According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the severe impact of climate change on Arizona, including record-breaking heat and devastating wildfires like the Dragon Bravo Fire in the Grand Canyon.

Mayes, along with other state attorneys general and local officials, argues that the EPA’s actions violate legal obligations and threaten public health. The coalition previously urged the EPA to reconsider its proposal, citing potential harm to communities and the regulatory landscape.

This legal challenge includes participation from several states and major cities, all united in their effort to uphold the original Endangerment Finding and protect environmental standards.

A copy of the filing can be found online.