Case Law Index Climate Change
January 1, 2002 – February 24, 2022
This index provides a comprehensive though not necessarily exhaustive compilation of reported and unreported federal and state court decisions involving Climate Change that were decided between the dates listed above. The cases are listed in reverse chronological order.The “Text” link goes to the freely available Google Scholar text of the opinion. These listings are for educational purposes only, and are not a substitute for legal counsel.
SUPREME COURT
Cty. of Maui, Hawaii v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, 140 S. Ct. 1462 (2020) (alleging that county violated the Clean Water Act (CWA) by discharging effluent, without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit) Text
Util. Air Regulatory Grp. v. E.P.A., 573 U.S. 302 (2014) (challenging EPA’s determination that its motor-vehicle greenhouse-gas regulations automatically triggered permitting requirements under Clean Air Act) Text
Am. Elec. Power Co. v. Connecticut, 564 U.S. 410 (2011) (seeking abatement of defendants’ ongoing contributions to public nuisance of global warming) Text
Summers v. Earth Island Inst., 555 U.S. 488 (2009) (Environmental organizations brought action to enjoin United States Forest Service from applying its regulations to exempt salvage sale of timber) Text
Massachusetts v. EPA, 549 U.S. 497 (2007) (Clean Air Act authorizes EPA to regulate greenhouse gases) Text
Rapanos v. United States, 547 U.S. 715, 126 S. Ct. 2208 (2006) (Expanding upon what constitutes jurisdictional waters under the Clean Water Act) Text
Whitman v. Am. Trucking Associations, 531 U.S. 457 (2001) (challenging EPA final rule revising national ambient air quality standards) Text
FIRST CIRCUIT
Conservation Law Found., Inc. v. Exxon Mobil Corp., 3 F.4th 61 (1st Cir. 2021) (stay of suit against operator of petroleum distribution terminal not appropriate)
Massachusetts v. Exxon Mobil Corp., No. CV 19-12430-WGY, 2020 WL 2769681, at *1 (D. Mass. May 28, 2020) (brought suit to hold a single oil company liable for global climate change) Text
Conservation Law Found., Inc. v. ExxonMobil Corp., No. CV 16-11950-MLW, 2020 WL 1332949 (D. Mass. Mar. 21, 2020) (alleging violations of Environmental Protection Agency permit, the Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) Text
Rhode Island v. Chevron Corp., 393 F. Supp. 3d 142 (D.R.I. 2019) (alleging tort claims, including public nuisance upon non-federal property and natural resources in Rhode Island as a result of climate change) Text
United States v. R.M. Packer Co., Inc., 355 F. Supp. 3d 66 (D. Mass. 2018) (action against marine transportation company under Clean Air Act ) Text
Citizens of the Karst, Inc. v. United States Army Corps of Eng’rs, 160 F. Supp. 3d 451 (D.P.R. 2016) (Clean Water Act notice violation) Text
Conservation Law Found., Inc. v. U.S. E.P.A., 964 F. Supp. 2d 175 (D. Mass. 2013) (challenging the EPA’s project approval under Clean Water Act) Text
Ophir v. City of Boston, 647 F.Supp.2d 86 (D. Mass. 2009) (federal law preempted local ordinance requiring taxis to switch to hybrids) Text
Lincoln-Dodge, Inc. v. Sullivan, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 94618 (D.R.I. 2008) (Clean Air Act jurisdiction and enforceability) Text
Green Mountain Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Jeep v. Crombie, 508 F. Supp. 2d 295 (D. Vt. 2007) (denying motion to exclude testimony of climate change expert) Text
Reilly v. EPA, 429 F. Supp.2d 335 (D. Mass. 2006) (mercury emissions cap and trade program under the CAA) Text
U.S. Pub. Interest Research Grp. v. Atl. Salmon of Maine, LLC., 215 F. Supp. 2d 239 (D. Me. 2002) (Clean Water Act citizen suit) Text
U.S. Pub. Interest Research Grp. c. Stolt Sea Farm, Inc., No. CIV.00-149-B-C, 2002 WL 240386, at *1 (D. Me. Feb. 19, 2002) (alleging discharges of pollutants in violation of the Act) Text
SECOND CIRCUIT
Nat. Res. Def. Council v. United States Envtl. Prot. Agency, 954 F.3d 150 (2d Cir. 2020) (challenging EPA’s denial of request for model of current version of computer program to forecast automakers’ likely responses to proposed greenhouse gas emissions standards) Text
Riverkeeper, Inc. v. Wheeler, 373 F. Supp. 3d 443 (S.D.N.Y. 2019) (seeking injunction to compel EPA to prepare and publish proposed regulations) Text
Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Schneiderman, 316 F. Supp. 3d 679 (S.D.N.Y. 2018) (alleging that investigations were in retaliation for its views on climate change) Text
City of New York v. BP P.L.C., 325 F. Supp. 3d 466 (S.D.N.Y. 2018) (action due to rising sea levels allegedly caused by emission of greenhouses gases) Text
Coal. for Competitive Elec., Dynegy Inc. v. Zibelman, 272 F. Supp. 3d 554 (S.D.N.Y. 2017) (challenging New York’s regulatory program, the Clean Energy Standard order, that awarded credits to certain nuclear generators for their zero-emissions electricity production) Text
Vermonters for a Clean Env’t, Inc. v. Madrid, 73 F. Supp. 3d 417 (D. Vt. 2014) (challenging a record of decision to install a wind farm in a national park) Text
Connecticut v. Am. Elec. Power Co., 582 F.3d 309 (2d Cir. 2009) (common law public nuisance claim for global warming) Text
Green Mountain Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Jeep v. Crombie, 508 F. Supp. 2d 295 (D. Vt. 2007) (action seeking declaratory and injunctive relief from Vermont regulations adopting California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for new automobiles) Text
Korsinsky v. EPA, 192 F. App’x 71 (2d Cir. 2006) (claims of injury from global warming too speculative)
In re Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) Prod. Liab. Litig., 438 F. Supp. 2d 291 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) (claim arising out of alleged contamination or threatened contamination of groundwater)
Natural Res. Def. Council v. Mineta, No. 04 Civ.5380(VM)(RLE), 2005 WL 1075355 (S.D.N.Y. May 3, 2005) (standing to challenge compliance with CAFE standards)
Korsinsky v. EPA, No. 05 Civ. 859(NRB), 2005 WL 2414744 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 29, 2005) (claim of global warming as a public nuisance; federal and state agencies contributed to global warming)
Connecticut v. Am. Elec. Power Co., 406 F. Supp. 2d 265 (S.D.N.Y. 2005) (dismissing suit for the abatement of public nuisance of global warming) Text
Friends of the Earth v. U.S. Forest Serv., 114 F. Supp. 2d 288 (D. Vt. 2000) (challenging timber sales on national forest land) Text
THIRD CIRCUIT
Delaware v. BP America Inc., No. 20-1429-LPS, 2022 WL 58484 (D. Del. Jan. 5, 2022) (state law climate change tort claims not entirely preempted by federal law) Text
City of Hoboken v. Exxon Mobil Corp., No. 20-cv-14243, 2021 WL 4077541 (D. N.J. Sept. 8, 2021) (federal law did not completely preempt state law climate change claims) Text
Clean Air Council v. United States Steel Corp., No. 2:19-CV-1072, 2020 WL 2490023, at *1 (W.D. Pa. May 14, 2020) (alleging violations of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) Text
Clean Air Council v. United States, 362 F. Supp. 3d 237 (E.D. Pa. 2019) (whether executive branch can be held liable for rollback of environmental law) Text
In re La Paloma Generating, Co., No. 16-12700 (CSS), 2017 WL 5197116, at *1 (Bankr. D. Del. Nov. 9, 2017) (interpretation of regulations promulgated by the California Air Resources Board implementing a “cap and trade” program for carbon emissions) Text
Arkema Inc. v. Honeywell Int’l, Inc., No. 10-CV-2886, 2013 WL 5356844, at *1 (E.D. Pa. Sept. 25, 2013) (seeking a declaration from the court that would invalidate four patents relating to a refrigerant with low global-warming potential) Text
United States v. EME Homer City Generation, L.P., 727 F.3d 274 (3d Cir. 2013) (alleging violations of the federal Clean Air Act) Text
GenOn REMA, LLC v. U.S. E.P.A., 722 F.3d 513 (3d Cir. 2013) (petitioned for review of EPA rule issued in response to downwind state’s petition for an order restricting sulfur dioxide emissions) Text
United States v. EME Homer City Generation L.P., 823 F. Supp. 2d 274 (W.D. Pa. 2011) (alleging violations of the federal Clean Air Act) Text
Clean Air Council v. Mallory, 226 F. Supp. 2d 705 (E.D. Pa. 2002) (Eleventh Amendment did not bar citizen suit under Clean Air Act) Text
FOURTH CIRCUIT
Appalachian Voices v. U.S. Dep’t of Interior, No. 20-2159, 2022 WL 320320 (4th Cir. 2022) (FWS biological opinion failed to appropriately consider impacts of climate change) Text
Mayor & City Council of Baltimore v. BP P.L.C., 952 F.3d 452 (4th Cir. 2020) (alleging contribution to climate change by producing and selling fossil fuel products while deceiving public about products’ dangers) Text
Friends of Buckingham v. State Air Pollution Control Bd., 947 F.3d 68 (4th Cir. 2020) (challenging Board’s decision to award natural gas pipeline company permit for construction) Text
Blue Water Balt., Inc. v. Wheeler, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47689 (D. Md. 2019) (EPA denial of stormwater discharge contribution) Text
Mayor & City Council of Baltimore v. BP P.L.C., 388 F. Supp. 3d 538 (D. Md. 2019) (alleging contributing to climate change by producing and selling fossil fuel products while deceiving public about products’ dangers) Text
Sierra Club v. Virginia Elec. & Power Co., 903 F.3d 403 (4th Cir. 2018) (alleging violations of Clean Water Act on discharge of arsenic from coal ash piles into surrounding surface waters) Text
South Carolina v. United States, 221 F. Supp. 3d 684 (D.S.C. 2016) (Violation of nucear storage requirements) Text
Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc. v. Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, 141 F. Supp. 3d 428 (M.D.N.C. 2015) (citizen enforcement action against energy company alleging violations of the Clean Water Act) Text
Carolina All. for Transp. Reform, Inc. v. U.S. Dep’t of Transp., 713 F. Supp. 2d 491 (M.D.N.C. 2010) (alleging that construction of portion of beltway violated National Environmental Policy Act) Text
Mirant Potomac River, LLC v. EPA, 577 F.3d 223 (4th Cir. 2009) (cap and trade program; challenging Virginia’s SIP for nonattainment area) Text
Audubon Naturalist Soc’y of the Cent. Atl. States, Inc. v. U.S. Dep’t of Transp., 524 F. Supp. 2d 642 (D. Md. 2007) (not arbitrary and capricious to conclude that mitigation for climate change not needed for single stretch of highway) Text
United States v. Deaton, 209 F.3d 331 (4th Cir. 2000) (alleging that owners violated Clean Water Act by discharging fill material from digging of drainage ditch into a regulated wetland) Text
FIFTH CIRCUIT
Gulf Restoration Network v. Jackson, 224 F. Supp. 3d 470 (E.D. La. 2016) (Attempt to require the EPA to enforce the Clean Water Act) Text
Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Healey, 215 F. Supp. 3d 520 (N.D. Tex. 2016) (alleging that Massachusetts attorney general misused her law enforcement authority to suppress its opposition to climate change legislation) Text
Gulf Restoration Network v. McCarthy, 783 F.3d 227 (5th Cir. 2015) (Attempt to require the EPA to enforce the Clean Water Act) Text
Ctr. for Biological Diversity, Inc. v. BP Am. Prod. Co., 704 F.3d 413 (5th Cir. 2013) (action under the citizen-suit provisions of the CWA, the CERCLA, and the EPCRA) Text
Comer v. Murphy Oil USA, Inc., 839 F. Supp. 2d 849 (S.D. Miss. 2012) (standing to bring common law nuisance claim for cause of global warming) Text
BCCA Appeal Grp. v. U.S. E.P.A., 476 F. App’x 579 (5th Cir. 2012) (seeking review of EPA’s disapproval of the state implementation plan of the CAA)
Luminant Generation Co. v. U.S. E.P.A., 675 F.3d 917 (5th Cir. 2012) (seeking review of EPA’s disapproval of permit under the CAA) Text
Texas v. U.S. E.P.A., 690 F.3d 670 (5th Cir. 2012) (seeking review of EPA’s disapproval of the state National Ambient Air Quality Standards plan under the Clean Air Act ) Text
Texas v. U.S. E.P.A., No. 10-60961, 2011 WL 710598, at *1 (5th Cir. Feb. 24, 2011) (petition for review of EPA plan under the CAA)
Comer v. Nationwide Mut. Ins., No. 1:05 CV 436 LTD RHW, 2006 WL 1066645 (S.D. Miss Feb. 23, 2006) (claims of property damage as a result of global warming)
SIXTH CIRCUIT
Kentucky Coal Ass’n, Inc. v. Tennessee Valley Auth., 68 F. Supp. 3d 703 (W.D. Ky.), aff’d, 804 F.3d 799 (6th Cir. 2015) (seeking declaratory judgment that Tennessee Valley Authority violated National Environmental Policy Act) Text
Coal. for Advancement of Reg’l Transp. v. Fed. Highway Admin., 576 F. App’x 477 (6th Cir. 2014) (challenging a proposed construction and transportation management program)
Klein v. U.S. Dep’t of Energy, 753 F.3d 576 (6th Cir. 2014) (alleging DOE failed to comply with NEPA) Text
Kentuckians for Commonwealth v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 963 F. Supp. 2d 670 (W.D. Ky. 2013), aff’d sub nom. Kentuckians for the Commonwealth v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 746 F.3d 698 (6th Cir. 2014) (seeking a declaration that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated the CWA and NEPA) Text
Coal. for Advancement of Reg’l Transp. v. Fed. Highway Admin., 959 F. Supp. 2d 982 (W.D. Ky. 2013), aff’d, 576 F. App’x 477 (6th Cir. 2014) (challenging a proposed construction and transportation management program) Text
Stephens v. Koch Foods, LLC, 667 F. Supp. 2d 768 (E.D. Tenn. 2009) (Whether civilian-led enforcement of the Clean Water Act has standing) Text
Nat’l Parks Conservation Ass’n, Inc. v. Tennessee Valley Auth., 618 F. Supp. 2d 815 (E.D. Tenn. 2009) (alleging that TVA failed to obtain appropriate pollution limitations) Text
LeBlanc v. EPA, No. 08-3049, 310 F. App’x 770 (6th Cir. 2009) (denying petition to review EPA permit for injection well for limited test of CO2 sequestration)
United States v. Cundiff, 555 F.3d 200 (6th Cir. 2009) (alleging violation of the CWA by engaging in unauthorized dredging and filling of wetlands) Text
Kentucky Res. Council, Inc. v. U.S.E.P.A., 304 F. Supp. 2d 920 (W.D. Ky. 2004) (action under CAA against EPA over vehicle emissions testing (VET) program) Text
SEVENTH CIRCUIT
DJL Farm LLC v. U.S. E.P.A., 813 F.3d 1048 (7th Cir. 2016) (petitions for review of EPA order issuing permits authorizing power plant operator to construct and operate wells to store carbon dioxide) Text
Hamrick v. Gen. Servs. Admin., 107 F. Supp. 3d 910 (C.D. Ill. 2015) (alleging GSA violated National Environmental Policy Act) Text
United States v. Cinergy Corp., 458 F.3d 705 (7th Cir. 2006) (alleging that the company violated the Clean Air Act’s new source review permit provisions) Text
United States v. Murphy Oil USA, Inc., 143 F. Supp. 2d 1054 (W.D. Wis. 2001) (action against petroleum refinery to obtain injunctive relief and civil penalties for refinery’s alleged past and present violations of environmental laws) Text
EIGHTH CIRCUIT
Missouri v. Biden, No. 4:21-cv-00287, 2021 WL 3885590 (E.D. Mo. Aug. 31, 2021) (challenge to presidential executive order on GHGs not ripe for review) Text
Minnesota v. Am. Petroleum Inst., No. 20-1636, 2021 WL 1215656 (D. Minn. March 31, 2021) (claims that defendant lied to public about climate change belonged in state court) Text
Nucor Steel-Arkansas v. Big River Steel, LLC, 93 F. Supp. 3d 983 (E.D. Ark. 2015) (citizen suit under the Clean Air Act, alleging violations of emissions standards) Text
North Dakota v. U.S. E.P.A., 127 F. Supp. 3d 1047 (D.N.D. 2015)( challenging promulgation of rule changing the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act) Text
Iowa League of Cities v. E.P.A., 711 F.3d 844 (8th Cir. 2013) (review under Clean Water Act of two letters sent by EPA to a United States Senator) Text
North Dakota v. Heydinger, 288 F.R.D. 423 (D. Minn. 2012) (alleging that Next Generation Energy Act (NGEA), which establishing energy and environmental standards related to carbon dioxide emissions, violated the United States Constitution)
Sierra Club v. Clinton, 689 F. Supp. 2d 1123 (D. Minn. 2010) (seeking a preliminary injunction prohibiting defendants from permitting the construction and operation of international oil pipeline) Text
Sierra Club v. Clinton, 689 F. Supp. 2d 1147 (D. Minn. 2010) (alleging that State Department’s issuance of permits to construct and operate international oil pipeline violated National Environmental Policy Act) Text
Sierra Club v. Clinton, 746 F. Supp. 2d 1025 (D. Minn. 2010) (alleging that federal agencies violated National Environmental Policy Act) Text
Serv. Oil, Inc. v. U.S. E.P.A., 590 F.3d 545 (8th Cir. 2009) (review of owner’s failure to apply for a storm water discharge permit) Text
NINTH CIRCUIT
WildEarth Guardians v. Haaland, No. 2:19-cv-09473, 2021 WL 4263831 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 20, 2021) (FWS’ conclusion on Joshua trees was not supported by climate change data) Text
Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic v. Bureau of Land Mgmt., No. 3:20-cv-00290, 2021 WL 3667986 (D. Alaska. Aug. 18, 2021) (GHG emissions analysis violated NEPA) Text
City and County of Honolulu v. Sunoco, LP, No. 20-cv-00163-DKW-RT, 2020 WL 531237 (D. Haw. Feb. 12, 2021) (requesting climate change action be transferred to state court for proper jurisdiction) Text
Columbia Riverkeeper v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, No. 19-6071 RJB, 2020 WL 6874871 (W.D. Wash. Nov. 23, 2020) (Corps failed to consider cumulative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions) Text
Juliana v. United States, 947 F.3d 1159 (9th Cir. 2020) (requesting review of climate change action) Text
California v. Bernhardt, No. 4:18-CV-05712-YGR, 2020 WL 4001480 (N.D. Cal. July 15, 2020) (action challenging Bureau of Land Management’s rulemaking process that led to partial rescission of rule governing prevention of waste of oil) Text
Animal Legal Def. Fund v. United States, 404 F. Supp. 3d 1294 (D. Or. 2019) (claiming that climate change and government’s failure to protect them from effects of climate change on federally owned and managed public lands) Text
California v. United States EPA, 385 F. Supp. 3d 903 (N.D. Cal. 2019) (whether States have standing when the EPA fails to meet its enforcing duties and how long does the EPA have to complete its nondiscretionary duties) Text
Juliana v. United States, 339 F. Supp. 3d 1062 (D. Or.), leave to appeal granted, 949 F.3d 1125 (9th Cir. 2018), and mandamus dismissed sub nom. In re U.S., 140 S. Ct. 16, 204 L. Ed. 2d 1171 (2019), and rev’d and remanded, 947 F.3d 1159 (9th Cir. 2020) (alleging that the defendants continued to permit, authorize, and subsidize fossil fuel extraction that allowed carbon dioxide emissions to escalate and allegedly lead to harmful climate change) Text
L.A. Waterkeeper v. Pruitt, 320 F. Supp. 3d 1115 (C.D. Cal. 2018) (forcing EPA to complete its enforcement duties listed under the Clean Water Act) Text
AquAlliance v. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 287 F. Supp. 3d 969 (E.D. Cal. 2018), appeal dismissed sub nom. AquAlliance v. United States Bureau of Reclamation, No. 18-16666, 2019 WL 4199912 (9th Cir. June 25, 2019) (alleging violation of the National Environmental Policy Act) Text
Montana Envtl. Info. Ctr. v. U.S. Office of Surface Mining, 274 F. Supp. 3d 1074 (D. Mont. 2017) (claiming violation of National Environmental Policy Act) Text
Aqualliance v. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, No. 1:15-CV-754-LJO-BAM, 2017 WL 3009196, at *1 (E.D. Cal. July 14, 2017) (challenges water transfer program) Text
Oregon Wild, v. Constance Cummins, 239 F. Supp. 3d 1247 (D. Or. 2017) (challenging Forest Service’s decision to continue to approve livestock grazing in national forest) Text
Kunaknana v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 23 F. Supp. 3d 1063 (D. Alaska 2014) (challenging its decision to issue a permit to oil production company) Text
Washington Envtl. Council v. Bellon, 732 F.3d 1131 (9th Cir. 2013) (alleging agencies failed to enforce state implementation plan) Text
Rocky Mt. Farmers Union v. Corey, 730 F.3d 1070 (9th Cir. 2013) (holding that greenhouse gas limitations on fuel is not facially discriminatory nor in violation of the commerce clause) Text
Alliance for Wild Rockies v. Lyder, No. CV 09-73-M-DWM, 2010 WL 3023652 (D. Mont. July 28, 2010) (identifying critical habitats for Canada lynx) Text
Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Goldstene, — F.Supp.2d —-, 2010 WL 2490999 (E.D. Cal. 2010) (challenge to Global Warming Solutions Act) Text
Western Watersheds Project v. U.S. Forest Service, No. 09-0629-E-BLW, 2010 WL 1816254 (D. Idaho May 04, 2010) (failure to follow NEPA for noxious weeds and global warming) Text
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Kempthorne, 588 F.3d 701 (9th Cir. 2009) (standing to challenge the taking of polar bears) Text
Native Vill. of Kivalina v. ExxonMobil Corp., 663 F.Supp.2d 863 (N.D. Cal. 2009) (political question; standing; common law nuisance claim caused global warming) Text
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Office of Mgmt. & Budget, 625 F. Supp. 2d 885 (N.D. Cal. 2009) (FOIA request on light truck CAFE standards) Text
W. Watersheds Project v. Salazar, No. 08-0516-E-BLW, 2009 WL 1299626 (D. Idaho May 7, 2009) (EIS for resource management plan did not take into account cumulative effects on climate change) Text
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Office of Mgmt. & Budget, No. C 07-4997 MHP, 2008 WL 5129417 (N.D. Cal. Dec. 4, 2008) (FOIA request for documents on CAFE standards) Text
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Kempthorne, No. C 08-1339 CW, 2008 WL 4951027 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 18, 2008) (challenging rule under ESA that allows greenhouse gas emissions; reclassification of polar bear as “threatened species”)
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Nat’l Highway Traffic Safety Admin., 538 F.3d 1172 (9th Cir. 2008) (challenging CAFE standards for light trucks) Text
Sierra Club v. City & Cnty. of Honolulu, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 64262 (D. Haw. Aug. 18, 2008) (Violation of Clean Water Act by discharging pollutants into waterways) Text
Cent. Valley Chrysler-Jeep, Inc. v. Goldstene, 563 F. Supp. 2d 1158 (E.D. Cal. 2008) (would not expand scope of injunction once federal waiver received) Text
Pac. Coast Fed’n of Fishermen’s Ass’ns v. Gutierrez, 606 F. Supp. 2d 1122 (E.D. Cal. 2008) (NMFS failed to address climate change in biological opinion on endangered salmonid species) Text
San Francisco Chapter of A. Philip Randolph Inst. v. EPA, No. C. 07-04936 CRB, 2008 WL 859985 (N.D. Cal. Mar. 28, 2008) (dismissal of suit seeking an order to compel EPA to regulate carbon dioxide under CAA)
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Office of Mgmt. & Budget, 546 F. Supp. 2d 722 (N.D. Cal. 2008) (FOIA request to determine weight climate science given in OMB analysis) Text
N. Slope Borough v. Minerals Mgmt. Serv., No. 3:07-cv-0045-RRB, 2008 WL 110889 (D. Alaska Jan. 8, 2008) (rejecting claim that EIS needed to take into account cumulative impact of climate change on sale of oil and gas leases) Text
Cent. Valley Chrysler-Jeep, Inc. v. Goldstene, 529 F. Supp. 2d 1151 (E.D. Cal. 2007) (state’s carbon dioxide regulations not preempted by CAA if waiver granted) Text
California v. General Motors Corp., No. C06-05755 MJJ, 2007 WL 2726871 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 17, 2007) (global warming nuisance claim non-justiciable)
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Brennan, 571 F. Supp. 2d 1105 (N.D. Cal. 2007) (federal agencies in violation of the Global Change Research Act) Text
Natural Res. Def. Council v. Kempthorne, 506 F. Supp. 2d 322 (E.D. Cal 2007) (biological opinion by FWS did not take into account data on climate change; violated duty under ESA) Text
N. Slope Borough v. Minerals Mgmt. Serv., No. 3:07-cv-0045-RRB, 2007 WL 1106110 (D. Alaska Apr. 12, 2007) (not required to account for climate change in EIS) Text
Friends of Earth, Inc. v. Mosbacher, 488 F. Supp. 2d 889 (N.D. Cal. 2007) (use of climate change reports prepared by federal agency) Text
Cent. Valley Chrysler-Jeep, Inc. v. Witherspoon, 456 F. Supp. 2d 1160 (E.D. Cal. 2006) (state’s carbon dioxide regulations preempted by federal law, unless waiver is granted) Text
Cent. Valley Chrysler-Jeep, Inc. v. Witherspoon, No. CV-F-04-6663 REC LJO, 2006 WL 1883363 (E.D. Cal. July 7, 2006) (discovery of documents relating to global warming) Text
Nw. Envtl. Def. Ctr. v. Owens Corning Corp., 434 F. Supp. 2d 957 (D. Or. 2006) (group had standing to challenge that facility would contribute to global warming under CAA) Text
Cent. Valley Chrysler-Jeep, Inc. v. Witherspoon, No. CV-F-04-6663 REC LJO, 2005 WL 2709508 (E.D. Cal. Oct. 5, 2005) (challenging CARB’s ability to regulate carbon dioxide releases from new motor vehicles sold in California)
Friends of Earth, Inc. v. Watson, No. C 02-4106 JSW, 2005 WL 2035596 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 23, 2005) (claims of violations of NEPA by not taking into account climate change) Text
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Abraham, 218 F. Supp. 2d 1143 (N.D. Cal. 2002) (claims of injuries from global warming too general for standing) Text
TENTH CIRCUIT
Swomley v. Schroyer, No. 20-1335, 2021 WL 4810161 (10th Cir. 2021) (plaintiffs unable to support NEPA climate change claim) Text
Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment v. Bernhardt, No. 1:19-CV-00703, 2021 WL 3370899 (D. N.M. Aug. 3, 2021) (denial of injunction over drilling on BLM land) Text
Utah Physicians for a Healthy Env’t v. U.S. Bureau of Land Mgmt., 528 F.Supp.3d 1222 (D. Utah March 24, 2021) (BLM did not adequately analyze impacts of GHGs)
WildEarth Guardians v. Bernhardt, No. 1:19-CV-00505-RB-SCY, 2020 WL 6799068 (D. N.M. Nov. 19, 2020) (NEPA does not require specific climate change methodologies to assess cumulative impacts) Text
Swomley v. Schroyer, No. 19-CV-01055-TMT, 2020 WL 5250550 (D. Colo. Sept. 3, 2020) (USFS not required to consider green house gas emissions in impacts analysis) Text
Citizens for a Healthy Cmty. v. United States Bureau of Land Mgmt., 377 F. Supp. 3d 1223 (D. Colo. 2019) (seeking review of BLM’s approval of a master development plan) Text
Utah Physicians for a Healthy Env’t v. Diesel Power Gear LLC, 374 F. Supp. 3d 1124 (D. Utah 2019) (citizen enforcement action under the Clean Air Act) Text
San Juan Citizens All. v. United States BLM, 326 F. Supp. 3d 1227 (D.N.M. 2018) (NEPA challenge) Text
Wilderness Workshop v. United States Bureau of Land Mgmt., 342 F. Supp. 3d 1145 (D. Colo. 2018) (alleging that Bureau violated National Environmental Policy Act) Text
San Juan Citizens All. v. United States Bureau of Land Mgmt., 326 F. Supp. 3d 1227 (D.N.M. 2018) (alleging that lease of parcels of federal mineral estate in Santa Fe National Forest violated National Environmental Policy Act) Text
Wild Earth Guardians v. United States Forest Serv., 120 F. Supp. 3d 1237 (D. Wyo. 2015) (challenging agency decisions approving coal leases) Text
High Country Conservation Advocates v. United States Forest Serv., 52 F. Supp. 3d 1174 (D. Colo. 2014) (judicial review of agency decisions that together authorized on-the-ground mining) Text
Amigos Bravos v. U.S. Bureau of Land Mgmt., 816 F. Supp. 2d 1118 (D.N.M. 2011) (challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to approve two quarterly oil and gas lease sales) Text
WildEarth Guardians v. U.S. Forest Serv., 828 F. Supp. 2d 1223 (D. Colo. 2011) (review of Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) issued by United States Forest Service) Text
San Juan Citizens Alliance v. Stiles, No. 08-cv-00144-RPM, 2010 WL 1780816 (D. Colo. May 03, 2010) (NEPA challenge) Text
Miami-Dade Cnty. v. United States EPA, 529 F.3d 1049 (11th Cir. 2008) (challenging EPA rule allowing dumping via Clean Water Act permit) Text
Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Inst. v. City of Albuquerque, Civ. No. 08-633 MV/RLP, 2008 WL 5586316 (D.N.M. Oct. 3, 2008) (federal preemption of local city’s energy conservation building code)
ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serv., No. 2:19-CV-14243, 2020 WL 5548362 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 16, 2020) (FWS listing decision did not need to focus on climate change effects) Text
Se. Legal Found., Inc. v. United States Envtl. Prot. Div., 181 F. Supp. 3d 1063 (N.D. Ga. 2016) (judicial review of EPA’s processing of three Freedom of Information Act requests) Text
Conservancy of Sw. Fla. v. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serv., 677 F.3d 1073 (11th Cir. 2012) (challenging United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s denial of their petitions to designate critical habitat for the Florida panther) Text
D.C. CIRCUIT
Berka v. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comm’n, No. 21-1131, 2022 WL 412470 (D.C. Cir. 2022) (plaintiff’s climate change-based injury could not establish standing) Text
Truck Trailer Mfrs. Ass’n v. Envtl. Protection Agency, 17 F.4th 1198 (D.C. Cir. 2021) (CAA does not authorize EPA to regulate trailers’ effects on GHGs) Text
Vecinos para el Bienestar de la Comunidad Costera v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n, 6 F.4th 1321 (D.C. Cir. 2021) (analysis of GHG impacts from liquified natural gas pipeline was deficient) Text
Am. Fuel & Petrochemical Mfrs. v. Envtl. Prot. Agency, 3 F.4th 373 (D.C. Cir. 2021) (EPA exceeded CAA authority over fuel volatility waiver) Text
Envtl. Defense Fund v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n, 2 F.4th 953 (D.C. Cir. 2021) (vacatur of pipeline orders required) Text
Am. Lung Ass’n v. Envtl. Prot. Agency, 985 F.3d 914 (D.C. Cir. 2021) (Affordable Clean Energy rule found invalid) Text
WildEarth Guardians v. Bernhardt, No. CV 16-1724 (RC), 2020 WL 6701317 (D. D.C. Nov. 13, 2020) (BLM failed to take “hard look” at greenhouse gas emissions) Text
Oceana, Inc. v. Ross, No. CV 15-0555 (PLF), 2020 WL 5995125 (D. D.C. Oct. 9, 2020) (agency failed to consider effects of climate change on sea turtles) Text
Nat. Res. Def. Council v. Wheeler, 955 F.3d 68 (D.C. Cir. 2020) (review of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule suspending prior rule’s listing of hydrofluorocarbons) Text
WildEarth Guardians v. Zinke, 368 F. Supp. 3d 41 (D.D.C. 2019) (action against Bureau of Land Management (BLM), claiming it violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in authorizing oil and gas leasing on federal land in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado) Text
Sierra Club v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n, 867 F.3d 1357 (D.C. Cir. 2017) (review of decision of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) Text
Envtl. Integrity Project v. McCarthy, 319 F.R.D. 8 (D.D.C. 2016) (Whether plaintiffs have standing to intervene in EPA rule involving oil and gas movement) Text
WildEarth Guardians v. Bureau of Land Mgmt., 8 F. Supp. 3d 17 (D.D.C. 2014) (challenging its decision to lease public land for coal mining operations under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Federal Land Policy Management Act) Text
Communities for a Better Env’t v. E.P.A., 748 F.3d 333 (D.C. Cir. 2014) (review of EPA decision not to alter primary national ambient air quality standards for carbon monoxide) Text
WildEarth Guardians v. Jewell, 738 F.3d 298 (D.C. Cir. 2013) (challenging BLM decision to authorize lease of public lands for coal mining operations) Text
Wildearth Guardians v. Salazar, 880 F. Supp. 2d 77 (D.D.C. 2012) (challenging government’s decision to authorize lease of public lands for coal mining operations) Text
Coal. for Responsible Regulation, Inc. v. E.P.A., 684 F.3d 102 (D.C. Cir. 2012) (challenging greenhouse gas-related rules related to motor vehicle emissions) Text
Natural Res. Def. Council v. EPA, 571 F.3d 1245 (D.C. Cir. 2009) (EPA violated CAA by allowing participation in regional cap and trade program) Text
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Dep’t of Interior, 563 F.3d 466 (D.C. Cir. 2009) (no standing to challenge leasing program; failure to consider climate change in decision) Text
Appalachian Voices v. Bodman, 587 F. Supp. 2d 79 (D.D.C. 2008) (lack of standing to challenge tax credit program under Energy Policy Act) Text
North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir. 2008) (cap and trade program for pollution lacked measures to force upwind states to abate their emissions) Text
ALASKA
Sagoonick v. State, No. S-17297, 2022 WL 262268 (Alaska 2022) (claims for injunctive relief to require State to combat climate change present nonjusticiable question) Text
Kanuk ex rel. Kanuk v. State, Dep’t of Nat. Res., 335 P.3d 1088 (Alaska 2014) (claiming that the State violated its duties under the state constitution and the public trust doctrine by failing to take steps to protect the atmosphere) Text
CALIFORNIA
Sierra Club v, Cty. of San Diego, Nos. D077548, D077972, 2021 WL 6050624 (Cal. Ct. App. Dec. 21, 2021) (review of greenhouse gas mitigation measures for development proposals) Text
Golden Door Properties, LLC v. Cty. of San Diego, 50 Cal. App. 5th 467, 264 Cal. Rptr. 3d 309 (2020) (challenging county’s approval of climate action plan) Text
Golden Door Properties, LLC v. Cty. of San Diego, 27 Cal. App. 5th 892, 238 Cal. Rptr. 3d 559 (2018) (review of greenhouse gas impacts for development proposals in unincorporated areas) Text
Ass’n of Irritated Residents v. Kern Cty. Bd. of Supervisors, 17 Cal. App. 5th 708, 225 Cal. Rptr. 3d 463 (2017) (challenging county’s certification of environmental impact report)
Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Dep’t of Fish & Wildlife, 62 Cal. 4th 204, 361 P.3d 342 (2015), as modified on denial of reh’g (Feb. 17, 2016) (seeking to challenge certification of the project’s environmental impact report) Text
Cleveland Nat’l Forest Found. v. San Diego Assn. of Governments, 180 Cal. Rptr. 3d 548 (Ct. App. 2014) (challenging certification of environmental impact report (EIR) for regional transportation plan) Text
Ballona Wetlands Land Tr. v. City of Los Angeles, 201 Cal. App. 4th 455, 134 Cal. Rptr. 3d 194 (2011) (challenging certification of EIR and approval of project) Text
Communities for a Better Env’t v. City of Richmond, 184 Cal. App. 4th 70, 108 Cal. Rptr. 3d 478 (2010) (challenging city council’s certification of final environmental impact report) Text
GEORGIA
Longleaf Energy Assocs., LLC v. Friends of Chattahoochee, Inc., 681 S.E.2d 203 (Ga. Ct. App. 2009) (carbon dioxide not a regulated new source) Text
IOWA
Iowa Citizens for Cmty. Improvement v. State, 962 N.W.2d 780 (Iowa 2021) (reliance on public trust doctrine to compel environmental legislation is nonjusticiable question) Text
MASSACHUSETTS
Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Attorney Gen., 479 Mass. 312, 94 N.E.3d 786 (2018) (Fossil fuel company moved to set aside Attorney General’s civil investigative demand for documents and information relating to company’s knowledge and activities related to climate change) Text
Kain v. Dep’t of Envtl. Prot., 474 Mass. 278, 49 N.E.3d 1124 (2016) (for declaratory relief or writ of mandamus requiring Department to fulfill mandate to promulgate regulations under the Global Warming Solutions Act) Text
MINNESOTA
Minn. Ctr. for Envtl. Advocacy v. Holsten, A08-2171, 2009 WL 2998037 (Minn. Ct. App. Sept. 22, 2009) (state agency took climate change into account when approving mining project) Text
NEW MEXICO
Sanders-Reed ex rel. Sanders-Reed v. Martinez, 2015-NMCA-063, 350 P.3d 1221 (seeking judgment declaring that common law public trust doctrine imposed duty on state to regulate greenhouse gas emissions) Text
OREGON
Chernaik v. Brown, 367 Or. 143 P.3d 68 (2020) (public trust doctrine does not extend to fish, wildlife, or atmosphere) Text
Chernaik v. Brown, 295 Or. App. 584, 436 P.3d 26 (2019) (seeking declaratory and equitable relief for state’s alleged failure to protect state’s public-trust resources from effects of climate change) Text
Chernaik v. Kitzhaber, 263 Or. App. 463, 328 P.3d 799 (2014) (alleging that defendants violated their duties to uphold public trust and protect State’s atmosphere from impacts of climate change)
PENNSYLVANIA
Funk v. Wolf, 144 A.3d 228 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2016) (State’s executive authorities do not have to create a comprehensive plan to regulate greenhouse gases) Text
Funk v. Com., Dep’t of Envtl. Prot., 71 A.3d 1097 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2013) (alleging defendant was required to submit citizen’s petition for rulemaking regarding proposed reduction of fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions to the Environmental Quality Board) Text
SOUTH DAKOTA
In re Otter Tail Power Co. ex rel. Big Stone II, 744 N.W.2d 564 (S.D. 2008) (threat posed by climate change is a judgment call by the agency) Text
TEXAS
Blue Skies Alliance v. Texas Comm’n on Envtl. Quality, 283 S.W.3d 525 (Tex. App. 2009) (power plant would not violate NAAQS for ozone) Text
VIRGINIA
Mirant Potomac River, LLC v. Virginia, No. 2067-08-2, 2009 WL 1748524 (Va. Ct. App. June 23, 2009) (state cap and trade permit program violated the CAA) Text
WASHINGTON
Aji P. v. State of Washington, No. 80007-8-1, 2021 WL 423133 (Wash. Ct. App. Feb. 8, 2021) (state constitution does not address climate change) Text
Ass’n of Washington Bus. v. Washington State Dep’t of Ecology, 195 Wash. 2d 1, 455 P.3d 1126 (2020) (petitioned for review of clean air rule, as part of greenhouse gas emission reduction unit program, natural gas distributors and petroleum product producers to pay to offset the emissions)
Cascade Bicycle Club v. Puget Sound Reg’l Council, 175 Wash. App. 494, 306 P.3d 1031 (2013) (review of regional transportation plan) Text
Okeson v. City of Seattle, 150 P.3d 556 (Wash. 2007) (challenging utilities’ plan to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions) Text