Filed Date: April 13, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
On April 13, 2026, seventeen environmental and health organizations with over 1.5 million members collectively filed suit against the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiffs alleged that EPA strengthened the national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) on February 7, 2024, setting the annual limit at 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter, down from the previous 12.0 μg/m. According to the complaint, this action triggered EPA's non-discretionary duty to promulgate air quality designations for all areas of the country within two years (by February 7, 2026) and publish notice in the Federal Register. The plaintiffs contended that the statutory deadline had passed and the Administrator failed to promulgate any designations under the 2024 standard for any area of the country. They claimed that over 75 million Americans live in areas where PM 2.5 pollution levels violate the 2024 standard. The lawsuit was brought under federal question jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1361, and the Clean Air Act citizen suit provision 42 U.S.C. § 7604(a). The plaintiffs asserted one claim for relief alleging violation of the Clean Air Act based on the Administrator's failure to perform a non-discretionary duty under 42 U.S.C. § 7407(d)(B)(i) and (d)(A). They sought declaratory and injunctive relief, an order requiring the Administrator to promulgate air quality designations and publish notice in the Federal Register, retained jurisdiction to ensure compliance, costs and attorneys' fees, and other just and proper relief.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Kelli Wilkes (6/10/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73182483/parties/alliance-of-nurses-for-healthy-environments-v-zeldin/
Gilliam, Haywood Stirling (California)
Hixson, Thomas S. (California)
O'Brien, Colin Casey (California)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73182483/alliance-of-nurses-for-healthy-environments-v-zeldin/
Last updated June 16, 2026, 12:44 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: April 13, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiff are seventeen environmental and health organizations with over 1.5 million members including: Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments; American Lung Association; American Public Health Association; American Thoracic Society; Center for Biological Diversity; Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future; Clean Air Council; CleanAIRE NC; Conservation Law Foundation; Environmental Defense Fund; Georgia Interfaith Power & Light; Michigan Environmental Council; Natural Resources Defense Council; Northeast Ohio Community Resilience Centre; Rio Grande International Study Center; Savannah Riverkeeper & Sierra Club.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Leave Act, 5 U.S.C. § 6329a
Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.
Other Dockets:
Northern District of California 3:26-cv-03118
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Environmental Justice and Resources:
Environmental Impact Statements
Case Summary of Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments v. Zeldin, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48102/ (last updated 6/10/2026).