Car blogs

By John O'Dell, Senior Editor


In yet another defeat for carmakers attempting to block state-by-state implementation of greenhouse gas regulations, a federal judge today dismissed an industry suit that sought to stop Rhode Island from imposing limits on tailpipe emissions of carbon dioxide and other climate-impacting exhaust gases.


It was the third defeat for auto manufacturers, who have lost similar clean car suits in California and Vermont.


In his 28-page Rhode Island decision, U.S. District Court Judge Ernest Torres said that it was apparent that automakers were trying to take "another bite of the apple" by attempting to make the same case that already had been tossed out by federal judges in the other two states.


"It is difficult to see what interests the public has in permitting another bite of the apple in challenging regulations limiting the emission of greenhouse gases," the judge wrote in dismissing the suit by General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and the two major auto industry trade groups, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers.


In each case, the states have said they intend to implement the greehnosue gas limits adopted in California -the only state permitted under federal law to establish air pollution regulations that are stricter than federal EPA standards.


Although other states cannot set their own rules, they can opt out of the EPA regulations by adopting California's standards, which 13 states have done or said they intend to do.
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Tags: Greenhouse Gas Regulations

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Strike 3: Court Dismisses Auto Industry Bid to Bar Rhode Island GHG Regulation was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.