EDF’s recent lawsuit against EPA is flaring off donor cash
Here's Why EDF’s Silent Lawsuit Over a Deadline Fix Falls Flat
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is keeping up its fight against the EPA, and it’s starting to look like a pricey overreach... On March 20, 2025, the EPA moved the 2024 Greenhouse Gas Reporting deadline from March 31 to May 30 (90 Fed. Reg. 13085) because the e-GGRT system was down for weeks... Glitchy much? It’s a one-time tweak for 2024--nothing sneaky, just a practical and common business practice in both private and public sectors.
From the EPA’s rule:
The EPA is promulgating this final rule to extend the reporting deadline under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule for reporting year 2024 data from March 31, 2025, to May 30, 2025. This rule only changes the reporting deadline for annual greenhouse gas (GHG) reports for reporting year 2024. This rule does not change the reporting deadline for future years, and it does not change the requirements for what regulated entities must report.
However, EDF hit back with a lawsuit on March 21, 2025 (Case #25-1101), calling the delay “unlawful” and a blow to climate transparency (EDF press release, March 21, 2025). Their petition, though, stays quiet on the specifics of why it’s a problem. They’re making noise about communities losing out, but the data’s still coming--just 60 days later. The EPA’s fixing a glitch, not trashing the program.
With 3 million members bankrolling them, EDF’s donors should be asking questions. This isn’t a gutted rule--it’s a short delay. No data’s lost, no requirements changed. Sticking with this loud lawsuit feels like a waste of cash on a non-issue.
It seems that those funding EDF deserve a better use of their money.
"It seems that those funding EDF deserve a better use of their money."
Agreed. Why do so many people always want to sue about silly issues. By the time the courts could ever act on this, the issue will have resolved on its own.