Minnesota is joining a coalition of 22 states, territories and local governments in a lawsuit that challenges a rule that scales back environmental review of federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on Saturday.
According to a news release from Ellison’s office, the lawsuit alleges that the new final rule “abandons informed decision making” and limits the public’s ability to weigh in on actions that are likely to affect the environment, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and NEPA.
The Trump administration’s Council on Environmental Quality published the new final rule on July 16, and it is set to go into effect on Sept. 14. Continue reading.