Today’s
ruling from the nation’s second highest court was a mixed response to a
petition from U.S. PIRG and other environmental groups, 12 states and
three cities challenging the U.S. EPA’s failure to regulate carbon
dioxide pollution (CO2) from cars and trucks.
We
are disappointed that the court did not force EPA to set national CO2
standards for cars and trucks. However, the court did not address
whether EPA has the authority to regulate this pollution, leaving
states such as Arizona free to do so.
CO2
from burning fossil fuels such as gasoline in cars is the leading
contributor to global warming. This pollution builds up in the
atmosphere, trapping heat like a blanket. Several states have passed
legislation requiring cars and trucks to reduce their emissions of this
pollution. The court’s decision today leaves states free to continue to
pursue this regulation.
