On Thursday, March 19th, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office filed a legal challenge to the EPA’s repeal of its 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare (the “Endangerment Finding”) and all motor vehicle greenhouse gas standards.
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, along with staff from the Attorney General’s Environment and Energy Bureau, hosted a virtual briefing to explain the case. They shared why this legal action matters, what it aims to achieve, and what community members can expect in the coming months as the case moves forward.
This legal challenge is part of a broader, multi-state effort to hold the federal government accountable for protecting clean air and addressing climate change. The 2009 Endangerment Finding has long served as the legal foundation for national climate protections, including limits on pollution from cars and trucks. Its repeal could weaken efforts to reduce harmful emissions and safeguard public health, especially in communities already impacted by poor air quality.
Sarita Hudson participated in the AGO’s virtual briefing, representing community health perspectives and helping to connect this issue to the real-world impacts residents face.
Why this matters for our communities
Air pollution and climate change are not abstract issues—they directly affect our health, our neighborhoods, and our quality of life. Policies like the Endangerment Finding help:
- Reduce pollution that worsens asthma, heart disease, and other health conditions
- Improve air quality in communities disproportionately impacted by environmental harms
- Support long-term efforts to address climate change
As this case progresses, it will play an important role in shaping the future of environmental protections across the country.
More information:
- AG Campbell Challenges Unlawful Rescission of Landmark 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding
- 24 States Sue the E.P.A. for Renouncing Its Power to Fight Climate Change
- Massachusetts sues EPA over repeal of ‘endangerment’ finding central to climate fight
- Mass. officials, environmentalists criticize EPA’s revocation of scientific finding
- Information on the EPA Endangerment Findings
- Statement from Sarita Hudson, PHIWM
Last modified: March 20, 2026
