WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced June 22 that he has joined a coalition of 14 state attorneys general and the city of Chicago in intervening in Clean Air Council v. Pruitt.
The lawsuit was brought forth by environmental organizations after U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt halted regulation of air pollution leaks at new oil and gas facilities. Racine says his office and the coalition are intervening to secure reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful air pollutants.
“The EPA’s decision to stop this rule is a step backward for the environment. I will continue to work with other state attorneys general to stand up for crucial air pollution regulations like this one, which are vital to protect the health and safety of district residents,” Racine said.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is leading the intervention. In addition to Racine and Healey, the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, along with the corporation counsel for the city of Chicago, are involved.