Share: 

homepage - programs - environmental law - lawsuits - significant court victory clears the way for better, cleaner car standards

Significant Court Victory Clears the Way for Better, Cleaner Car Standards

Case Updates:

April 29, 2011

Photo: © 2010 Darrell Clarke, courtesy Sierra Club Library

In a landmark global warming victory, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has rejected the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s attempt to overturn California’s authority to implement tailpipe carbon pollution standards for new cars. A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) approval of California clean car standards, which have been adopted in 13 more states and the District of Columbia.

In 2009, EPA granted the final waiver allowing California to implement its own regulations requiring auto manufacturers to reduce fleet-average greenhouse gas emissions from new cars in the state and paving the way for other states to implement those standards as well. While auto manufacturers supported EPA’s granting of the waiver, the Chamber of Commerce and NADA challenged the decision in the D.C. Court of Appeals on behalf of their auto dealer members. Sierra Club, along with several states and other environmental groups, intervened in the case to defend EPA’s decision to grant the waiver. On April 29, 2011 the D.C. court of appeals dismissed the Chamber of Commerce and NADA’s petition for review.

In response, Ann Mesnikoff, Director of the Sierra Club’s Green Transportation Campaign, issued the following statement:

“Today’s ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals signals a victory for the millions of Americans who want action on global warming and better, more fuel efficient cars over the special interests of NADA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce who want to hold the nation back.

“Despite those attempts, California continues to lead in cleaning up new vehicles and working with the EPA and U.S. Department of Transportation on strong standards for new vehicles through 2025.  The Sierra Club is currently engaged in a campaign to obtain fuel efficiency standards of at least 60 miles per gallon by 2025.

“Strong clean car standards will not only provide better choices to consumers, but will also save American families money at the pump, reduce life-threatening pollution, create jobs, decrease our dependence on foreign oil and move our nation forward, Beyond Oil.”

Details and Documents:

More Info:

See other "Stop Polluters" cases.