"California, 21 Other States Back EPA Vehicle Emissions Rules"

"WASHINGTON - A group of 22 states led by California and five cities are backing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new tailpipe emissions rules after 25 Republican-led states sued the agency last week claiming the new regulations were unworkable and unlawful.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia challenges the 2027-2032 model year EPA vehicle emissions rules that aim to cut fleetwide tailpipe emissions for cars and light trucks by nearly 50% over 2026 levels in 2032.

California, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania and other states sought to intervene by filing a motion in the lawsuit saying they could be harmed if the EPA did not require future reductions in harmful vehicle emissions.

"California won’t sit back – we’re not going to watch radical Republicans put the profits of big oil over the health of our planet,” said Governor Gavin Newsom in a statement.

The states joined by the District of Columbia, Los Angeles, New York and Denver, said a win by the Republican states "would contribute to increased short- and long-term emissions of harmful pollution, resulting in direct injuries to state lands, resources, infrastructure, and public programs.""

David Shepardson reports for Reuters April 23, 2024.

Source: Reuters, 04/24/2024