Seventeen US states, including California, have announced plans to sue the Trump Administration over its plans to revise strict US vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency rules put in place under former President Barack Obama.
According to reuters.com,The 17 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision in April to declare US vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency rules through 2025 “not appropriate.”
The legal challenge comes as Democrats and environmental advocates vow to aggressively challenge the Trump administration’s plans to weaken the vehicle rules touted by the Obama administration as one of its biggest climate actions.
California Governor Jerry Brown has said the EPA is “breaking the law” and putting children at risk due to air quality and potential breathing complications such as asthma.
The US Transportation Department has drafted a proposal likely to be made public this month that would freeze vehicle requirements at 2020 levels through 2026. General Motors and Toyota, among other carmakers, prefer that the Trump Administration and California agree to extend national vehicle emissions standards.
Other Emissions News
In April, BP announced that it aims to generate sustainable reductions of 3.5 million tonnes of annual CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions throughout its businesses by 2025. Its company report, “Advancing the Energy Transition,” details BP’s framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its operations, improving its products to help customers reduce their emissions, and creating low carbon businesses.
Also in April, most nations that are members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to reduce total annual global shipping industry greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050, compared to 2008 levels. This strategy was adopted by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) during its 72nd session at the organization’s London headquarters in a meeting attended by more than 100 member states.
The 3rd Annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference takes place May 15 – 17, 2018 in Denver. Learn more here.
