Filed Date: Jan. 28, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case involves a challenge to a Trump Administration executive proclamation regarding exemptions to Clean Air Act standards.
On July 17, 2025, President Trump issued an executive proclamation granting two-year exemptions from Clean Air Act standards to 40 commercial sterilization facilities that emit ethylene oxide (EtO). On January 28, 2026, CleanAIRE NC, Sustainable Newton, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, and Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC) (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to invalidate the executive proclamation. The plaintiffs are all nonprofit organizations that work to reduce air pollution. Represented by the NRDC and the Southern Environmental Law Center, Plaintiffs sued President Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and its Administrator.
Specifically, Plaintiffs argued that the action was contrary to the Clean Air Act and its limitations on the President’s delegated powers, as well as ultra vires. They requested that the court enjoin the EPA from implementing the proclamation and restore the EtO Rule’s protections.
The case is assigned to Judge Christopher Cooper. As of February 6, 2026, it is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Avery Coombe (2/6/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72197186/parties/cleanaire-nc-v-trump/
Buckley, Sarah A. (District of Columbia)
Powell, Keri Nicholas (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72197186/cleanaire-nc-v-trump/
Last updated Feb. 2, 2026, 12:06 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 28, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Nonprofit organizations that work to reduce air pollution.
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, Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-00233
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief: