Case: CleanAIRE N.C. v. Trump

1:26-cv-00233 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Jan. 28, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

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”) f…

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)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72197186/parties/cleanaire-nc-v-trump/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Buckley, Sarah A. (District of Columbia)

Powell, Keri Nicholas (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Buckley, Sarah A. (District of Columbia)

Powell, Keri Nicholas (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:26-cv-00233	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Cleanaire v. Trump	Jan. 28, 2026	Jan. 28, 2026 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72197186/cleanaire-nc-v-trump/

Last updated Sept. 7, 2026, 3:27 a.m.

Docket for: CLEANAIRE NC v. TRUMP

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Jan. 28, 2026	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-12207416) filed by NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC., CLEANAIRE NC, VIRGINIA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT, SUSTAINABLE NEWTON. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons Summons to DC Attorney General, # 3 Summons Summons to AG USA, # 4 Summons Summons to EPA, # 5 Summons Summons to Trump, # 6 Summons Summons to Zeldin)(Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 01/28/2026) 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons Summons to DC Attorney General View on PACER 3 Summons Summons to AG USA View on PACER 4 Summons Summons to EPA View on PACER 5 Summons Summons to Trump View on PACER 6 Summons Summons to Zeldin View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Jan. 28, 2026	NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC.. Case related to Case No. 1:25-cv-04469. (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
3	Jan. 28, 2026	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC. (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
4	Jan. 28, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah A. Buckley on behalf of NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC. (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
5	Jan. 28, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Keri Nicholas Powell on behalf of CLEANAIRE NC, SUSTAINABLE NEWTON, VIRGINIA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT (Powell, Keri) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
6	Jan. 28, 2026	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by SUSTAINABLE NEWTON (Powell, Keri) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
7	Jan. 28, 2026	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by CLEANAIRE NC (Powell, Keri) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
8	Jan. 28, 2026	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by VIRGINIA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT (Powell, Keri) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
9	Jan. 28, 2026	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Irena Como, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12208547. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by CLEANAIRE NC, SUSTAINABLE NEWTON, VIRGINIA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Como Pro Hac Declaration, # 2 Exhibit Como Certificate of Good Standing)(Powell, Keri) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
10	Jan. 28, 2026	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Marissa Land, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12208593. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by CLEANAIRE NC, SUSTAINABLE NEWTON, VIRGINIA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Land Pro Hac Declaration, # 2 Exhibit Land Certificate of Good Standing)(Powell, Keri) (Entered: 01/28/2026)	RECAP
11	Jan. 29, 2026	SUMMONS (5) Issued Electronically as to LEE ZELDIN, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zhcn) (Entered: 01/29/2026) 1 Notice and Consent View on PACER	RECAP
12	Jan. 29, 2026	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Sheena Patel, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12212634. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC.. (Buckley, Sarah) (Entered: 01/29/2026)	RECAP
	Jan. 29, 2026	Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zhcn)
	Jan. 29, 2026	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	Jan. 30, 2026	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	Jan. 30, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting 9 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 1/30/2026. (lccrc1)
	Jan. 30, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 1/30/2026. (lccrc1)
	Jan. 30, 2026	MINUTE ORDER granting 12 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 1/30/2026. (lccrc1)
13	Feb. 2, 2026	Notice of Appearance	RECAP
14	Feb. 3, 2026	Notice of Appearance	RECAP
15	Feb. 19, 2026	Notice of Appearance	RECAP
16	Feb. 20, 2026	Notice (Other)	RECAP
17	Feb. 26, 2026	Consolidate Cases AND Hold in Abeyance	RECAP
18	Feb. 27, 2026	Amended Complaint	RECAP
19	Feb. 27, 2026	LCvR 26.1 Certificate of Disclosure - Corporate Affiliations/Financial Interests	RECAP
	March 2, 2026	~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines
20	March 6, 2026	Memorandum in opposition to motion	RECAP
21	March 12, 2026	Notice of Appearance	RECAP
22	March 13, 2026	Reply to opposition to motion	RECAP
	March 13, 2026	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings
	March 13, 2026	Order
	March 17, 2026	Order on Motion to Consolidate Cases AND Order on Motion to Hold in Abeyance
	March 17, 2026	Order on Motion to Consolidate Cases
	March 17, 2026	Motion Hearing
23	March 23, 2026	Intervene	RECAP
	March 25, 2026	Create Case Association
24	March 26, 2026	Transcript	RECAP
25	April 1, 2026	Case Assigned/Reassigned	RECAP
26	April 10, 2026	Response to motion	RECAP
27	May 8, 2026	Leave to File Document	RECAP
	May 19, 2026	Order on Motion for Leave to File
28	May 22, 2026	Reply to opposition to motion	RECAP
29	May 22, 2026	Response to motion 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
30	May 27, 2026	Amended Complaint	RECAP
31	May 28, 2026	Summons Returned Executed as to Federal Defendant	RECAP
32	May 28, 2026	Summons Returned Executed as to Federal Defendant	RECAP
33	May 28, 2026	Summons Returned Executed as to Federal Defendant	RECAP
34	May 28, 2026	Summons Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney General	RECAP
35	May 28, 2026	Summons Returned Executed as to US Attorney	RECAP