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The Climate Litigation Database

Center for Biological Diversity v. EPA

Geography
Date
2025
Document type
Litigation
Part of

About this case

Filing year
2025
Status
Complaint filed.
Docket number
4:25-cv-00173
Court/admin entity
United StatesUnited States Federal CourtsUnited States District of Arizona (D. Ariz.)
Case category
Federal Statutory ClaimsFreedom of Information ActLawsuits Brought by Plaintiffs Aligned with Environmentalist Interests
Principal law
United StatesFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)
At issue
Lawsuit to compel disclosure of non-email records documenting EPA’s recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget Director regarding the 2009 endangerment finding for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.

Documents

Filing Date
Type
Action Taken
Summary
Document
04/14/2025
Complaint
Complaint filed.
Center for Biological Diversity also filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against EPA seeking to compel disclosure of records, excluding emails, documenting EPA’s recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget Director regarding the 2009 endangerment finding for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. The “Unleashing American Energy” executive order directed the EPA Administrator to submit joint recommendations with the heads of other relevant agencies “on the legality and continuing applicability” of the endangerment finding. CBD alleged that it was harmed by EPA’s failures to promptly comply with FOIA because “such violations preclude the Center from gaining a full understanding of EPA’s reasoning for seeking to reverse its finding that greenhouse gases threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.”
04/14/2025
Complaint
Complaint filed.
Center for Biological Diversity also filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against EPA seeking to compel disclosure of records, excluding emails, documenting EPA’s recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget Director regarding the 2009 endangerment finding for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. The “Unleashing American Energy” executive order directed the EPA Administrator to submit joint recommendations with the heads of other relevant agencies “on the legality and continuing applicability” of the endangerment finding. CBD alleged that it was harmed by EPA’s failures to promptly comply with FOIA because “such violations preclude the Center from gaining a full understanding of EPA’s reasoning for seeking to reverse its finding that greenhouse gases threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.”

Summary

Lawsuit to compel disclosure of non-email records documenting EPA’s recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget Director regarding the 2009 endangerment finding for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.