California, Connecticut Prepare Legal Challenge to Trump's Climate Regulation Repeal

Attorneys general say they are working on a 'plan of attack' against the EPA's move to rescind the 'endangerment finding' that was the basis for federal climate rules.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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California and Connecticut are collaborating on a multi-state legal challenge against the Trump administration's repeal of the 'endangerment finding' that served as the foundation for federal climate regulation of vehicles and other industries. The attorneys general say they are working to build the strongest possible case to contest the Environmental Protection Agency's action, which they view as a major deregulatory move that could lead to a surge in lawsuits.

Why it matters

The 'endangerment finding' was a critical legal underpinning for the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from sources like power plants, automakers, and oil and gas operations. With this finding rescinded, it could open the door to more 'public nuisance' lawsuits against emitters, which had previously been blocked by a 2011 Supreme Court ruling. The move is seen as a major setback in federal climate policy.

The details

In an interview, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said their states are working together on a coordinated legal strategy to challenge the EPA's repeal of the 'endangerment finding.' They are examining the facts and the law to build the strongest possible case, though they did not provide a specific timeline for filing the lawsuit. Bonta emphasized the importance of moving quickly while also ensuring the case is 'tight' and well-prepared.

  • On February 17, 2026, the EPA rescinded the 'endangerment finding' that was the basis for federal climate regulations.
  • California and Connecticut attorneys general say they are currently working on their 'plan of attack' to challenge the EPA's action.

The players

Rob Bonta

The Attorney General of California.

William Tong

The Attorney General of Connecticut.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who initiated the repeal of the 'endangerment finding.'

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that rescinded the 'endangerment finding' that was the legal basis for climate regulations.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to take action. We're putting together our best possible plan of attack.”

— William Tong, Attorney General of Connecticut (taylorvilledailynews.com)

“We're not going to bring a lawsuit in six months. The temporal nexus to the action is important. But getting it right and making sure everything's tight is important too.”

— Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California (taylorvilledailynews.com)

What’s next

The California and Connecticut attorneys general did not provide a specific timeline for when they plan to file their lawsuit challenging the EPA's repeal of the 'endangerment finding.' However, they indicated they are working quickly to build the strongest possible case while also ensuring it is legally sound.

The takeaway

The repeal of the 'endangerment finding' is seen as a major setback in federal climate policy, as it removes a critical legal foundation for the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. California and Connecticut are leading a multi-state effort to challenge this action in court, highlighting the ongoing battles over climate change regulation at the state and federal levels.