Filed Date: March 3, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding in progress
On March 3, 2025, the Environmental Defense Fund filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This case was assigned to Dabney L. Friedrich. In Executive Order 14154 titled "Unleashing American Energy," published on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump directed the EPA to reevaluate the 2009 "Endangerment Finding." The "Endangerment Finding" was the EPA's determination that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere threatened the health and welfare of current and future generations, and that emissions from motor vehicles contribute to greenhouse gas pollution. The Plaintiff submitted a FOIA request on January 29, 2025, seeking all correspondence and records of all members of the EPA transition team and political appointees relating to the Endangerment Finding. When the EPA informed the Plaintiff that they would receive a response well after the statutory deadline under FOIA, the Plaintiff alleged that this constituted a violation of the Freedom of Information Act. The Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as attorney fees. The Plaintiff is represented by both the plaintiff's lawyer and Kaplan Kirsch LLP.
Summary Authors
Alaa Mustafa (3/17/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69698894/parties/environmental-defense-fund-v-united-states-environmental-protection-agency/
Friedrich, Dabney Langhorne (District of Columbia)
Caravello, Samantha R. (District of Columbia)
Hunt, Nathaniel Hemmerick (District of Columbia)
Murphy, Erin Caitlin (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69698894/environmental-defense-fund-v-united-states-environmental-protection-agency/
Last updated April 19, 2025, 4:34 p.m.
State / Territory: District of Columbia
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 1.0 & 2.0 FOIA cases
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Environmental Protections)
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 3, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Environmental non-profit
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Environmental Protection Agency (Washington D.C.), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), 5 U.S.C. § 552
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.: