The Trump administration finalized the repeal of the endangerment finding on Feb. 12. A post on the EPA’s website stated the change would also dissolve restrictions on vehicle emissions and save Americans $1.3 trillion.
“Denying the danger of climate change doesn’t make the fires less destructive, or the heatwaves less deadly,” California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez said. “California will not stand by while this administration continues to dismantle critical public health protections.”
Sanchez said California’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the landmark 2006 Global Warming Solutions Act, AB 32, signed into law by then Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, “remains unchanged.”
Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Clara County were also parties to the suit.
KQED’s Laura Klivans contributed to this report.