Arizona may sue EPA over rollback of greenhouse gas regulations, officials say

At a Friday press conference, Kirsten Engel, head of the environmental protection unit in the Arizona Attorney General's Office, confirmed that litigation is among several options being weighed. "The attorney general opposes it and considers that every option that her office has is on the table in response," she said, noting that Attorney General Kris Mayes views the elimination of the endangerment finding as both unlawful and contrary to the EPA's mission to protect public health.

Legal cornerstone eliminated

The endangerment finding originated from a 2007 US Supreme Court ruling affirming the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases that endanger public health. For nearly two decades, it provided the legal basis for emissions standards governing cars, airplanes, power plants, and other major pollution sources. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the finding's termination Thursday, aligning with President Donald Trump's broader agenda to roll back climate regulations affecting the auto and fossil fuel industries.

Arizona's escalating heat crisis

Environmental advocates warn the decision will disproportionately harm Arizona, which is already experiencing increasingly extreme temperatures. The past four years have been the hottest on record in the US, with Phoenix enduring 113 consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures during summer 2025. Statewide, extreme heat contributed to or caused as many as 427 deaths last year. Pita Juarez, Arizona field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force, called the decision "reckless," warning that "our children and future generations will pay the price for this unprecedented attack on public health protections."

Worker safety concerns

Rep. Mariana Sandoval, whose district includes rural and agricultural communities, expressed alarm about risks to farmworkers and outdoor laborers. "Rescinding the endangerment clause is like taking all the road signs and the highway patrol off of the interstate," she said. "It puts everyone at risk." Sandoval noted that with the legislative session nearly over, new proposals are unlikely this year, but she plans to meet with the governor's and attorney general's offices to discuss strategies.

State-level protections considered

Gov. Katie Hobbs' Workplace Heat Safety Task Force recently released recommendations urging employers to provide water, shade, and rest breaks during extreme heat. However, critics argue the guidelines lack enforcement measures. An advisory committee to the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to take a final vote on the proposed rules March 3.