Vermont and California Sue EPA for Illegally Blocking Plan to Reduce Tailpipe Emission

January 02, 2008 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced that Vermont will join with California in suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for blocking the state's plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

Today’s appeal comes in response to the EPA’s decision last month to deny a waiver to California and at least 16 other states – including Vermont – to reduce tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks and SUVs by 23 percent by 2012 and 30 percent by 2016.

“I believe that the EPA’s absurd decision deserves to be overturned,” Douglas said. “I am confident we will win on appeal because there was no justification for not heeding the current law,” the Governor said.

While the Dec. 19 decision came in the form of a letter, the full decision still has not been published and there is no apparent deadline for filing it. The EPA contends that states have no right to appeal until the decision has been released. However, California argues that the letter stands as a final agency action, and therefore, requires immediate action.

“The Bush administration has stalled too long, and done too little, on the issue of greenhouse gas emissions,” Douglas said. “The states are doing their part to fight climate change; it’s time for the federal government to follow our lead.”

Source: Vermont Governor

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •