Arizona Joins Multi-State Lawsuit Against EPA Over Climate Regulation Rollback

Mar 22, 2026, 2:20 AM

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Arizona is one of more than two dozen states, counties, and cities suing the Trump administration for rescinding the Endangerment Finding, a critical scientific basis that allowed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to impose limits on carbon pollution. The lawsuit was filed in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, where Arizona and other petitioners argue that this action contradicts decades of scientific research confirming the reality and severity of climate change.

The Endangerment Finding, established in 2009, determined that greenhouse gases posed a threat to public health and welfare, enabling regulatory oversight of major pollution sources like vehicles and power plants. However, the Trump administration's announcement in February to eliminate this regulation was framed as a significant deregulatory action aimed at reducing costs for consumers. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described it as the "single largest deregulatory action in US history," asserting that the Endangerment Finding had resulted in excessive regulations costing Americans trillions of dollars.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes expressed strong opposition to the rollback, highlighting that the state already faces severe heat-related health risks. She noted that hundreds of Arizonans die each year due to heat exposure, a situation exacerbated by human-caused carbon pollution leading to increased temperatures. "The decision by the Trump administration to rescind the Endangerment Finding will only accelerate climate change," Mayes stated, emphasizing the need to protect public health over fossil fuel profits.

The coalition leading the lawsuit includes attorneys general from various states, including California, New York, and Massachusetts, alongside city attorneys from cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, who is spearheading the effort, remarked that climate change is a pressing reality affecting residents and economies nationwide. "When the federal government abandons the law and the science, everyday people suffer the consequences," Campbell said.

Environmental advocates have raised alarms about the potential repercussions of the EPA's actions, particularly in Arizona, which has experienced record-breaking heat waves in recent years. Climate-related hazards such as extreme heat are leading to increased rates of illness and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations. Pita Juarez, an organizer with Moms Clean Air Force, warned that the rollback would have devastating consequences for future generations, stating, "Our children and future generations will pay the price for this unprecedented attack on public health protections.".

The lawsuit argues that the EPA's rollback of the Endangerment Finding not only violates established law but also disregards clear Supreme Court precedent and scientific consensus on the harmful impacts of greenhouse gases. By rescinding the finding, the EPA risks significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions, which could have catastrophic consequences for public health and the environment.

As Arizona contemplates its legal strategy, state officials are considering various options to address the challenges posed by the EPA's decision. The Arizona attorney general's office is exploring all avenues to ensure that the health and safety of Arizonans are prioritized in light of the federal government's actions.

In conclusion, the multi-state lawsuit represents a critical stand against the federal rollback of climate regulations, emphasizing the need for robust policies to combat climate change and protect public health. Arizona's involvement underscores the state's vulnerability to climate impacts and the importance of legal frameworks that uphold environmental protections.

This legal challenge could set a precedent for future climate action and regulatory oversight as states seek to hold the federal government accountable for its environmental responsibilities.

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