WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-- Two industry groups are suing the federal government, challenging the Obama administration's move to allow California to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
The National Automobile Dealers Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has argued that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision will allow the Golden State to enact stricter emission standards than the federal government.
Among other things, the groups have said the stricter and varying standards from state to state would increase manufacturing costs.
The lawsuit was filed in federal appeals court in the District of Columbia. An affiliate of the U.S. Chamber owns this publication.
The Bush administration had initially rejected California's request to set standards to reduce the emissions that scientists blame for global warming.
But shortly after President Barack Obama took office he asked the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider the decision.
The EPA agreed, and ultimately granted the waiver, allowing the state to implement a 2002 law requiring stringent fuel efficiency requirements in new cars and trucks by 2016.
A handful of states have indicated that they wish to adopt the same greenhouse gas standards as California. They include: Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
Groups file suit over Calif. greenhouse gas waiver
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