FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12 September 2007
Contact: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384 (w), 202.679.7570 (m)
Watershed Victory in Fight Against Global Warming
Vermont Judge Denies Automakers False Arguments and
Affirms Landmark California Global Warming Standards for Cars
Today Judge William Sessions, a federal district court judge in Vermont,
ruled against the automakers and for the Sierra Club, the states of Vermont
and New York, and other environmental groups, and opened the door for
states to mandate cutting global warming emissions from cars. Over the
vigorous objections of the automakers, he ruled that New York and Vermont
may proceed with enacting the California Clean Car (Pavley) Standards,
pending EPA approval. These standards, adopted by California and at least
11 other states, will reduce global warming emissions from cars by 30
percent when fully implemented in 2016. This case is a watershed moment in
the legal battle over the California Standards and will undoubtedly have an
important impact on similar cases pending in California and Rhode Island.
Statement of David Bookbinder, Sierra Club’s Chief Climate Counsel
"Today’s decision in Vermont is a dramatic win in the fight against global
warming. It affirms the rights of states to move forward with the kind of
bold, visionary action that they need in order to protect their citizens
and everyone needs if we are to prevent the most catastrophic effects of
global warming.
"This decision should put the nail in the coffin of the failed arguments of
the auto industry. In this trial they used every tired argument about
safety, job losses, lack of technology, and doubts about the science of
global warming that they had--the same things they have been saying to the
public and to Congress for decades. We have long known these arguments
were not true and Judge Sessions’ ruling indicates that he did not believe
them either. Judge Sessions’ ruling is rock solid and based squarely on
the facts--setting up a difficult legal situation for the automakers should
they appeal this case.
"Instead of the automakers thinking of excuses, it’s time for them to put
their immense know-how toward solving some of our most pressing problems.
This ruling will compel the U.S. automakers to make the kind of clean,
efficient cars Americans want--the kind that foreign automakers have used
to surge to record profits as the U.S. auto industry buckled under the
weight of its gas guzzlers. This ruling is good for the environment, good
for America, and, ultimately, good for the automakers.
"While the importance of this victory can scarcely be overstated, it’s now
time for the Bush Administration’s EPA to get out of the way and grant
California the waiver it and other states need in order to move forward
with these landmark standards. Congress should also take note of this
momentous decision and give great weight to the judge’s important findings
regarding the automakers claims as it weighs its own action in this area."
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The decision can be found at:
http://www.vtd.uscourts.gov/Supporting%20Files/Cases/05cv302.pdf