On the heels of the Senate’s recent vote on the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation of global warming pollution, a federal court on Wednesday put on hold industry suits attempting to challenge EPA’s scientific finding that global warming pollution endangers public health in America. The suits will be stayed to give EPA time to make its decision, expected in late July, on previous industry petitions for reconsideration of its finding. The court also rejected industry requests that the endangerment finding be sent back to EPA for separate proceedings to consider what industry claims to be "new" evidence. Earthjustice is representing Environmental Defense Fund as an intervenor against the industry challenges.

The following statement is from Earthjustice managing attorney David Baron:

"The challenges to EPA’s finding are baseless, and we’re pleased the court rejected the industry requests. EPA’s finding is supported by literally hundreds of studies and the work of the world’s leading scientists.

"Just last month the National Academy of Sciences found that the evidence makes a compelling case that climate change is occurring now, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks to people today and in future generations. We don’t need more evidence — we need strong action, and we need it now."