SEATTLE, Wash. – Washington State has joined 10 other states in a lawsuit to challenge President Trump’s efforts to rescind stronger vehicle emissions standards.
These standards have been a part of the U.S. Clean Air Act since 1970, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) said in a release.
Ecology said the federal actions threaten Washington’s progress in transitioning to clean vehicles, which is key to meeting legal limits on greenhouse gas emissions. The actions also pose a risk to public health, particularly in areas already affected by vehicle exhaust, Ecology added.
“The Trump administration’s actions are an unlawful attempt to strip states of their rights to improve public health and protect people from environmental threats like climate change,” Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller said.
President Trump signed three resolutions today that block California’s regulations aimed at phasing out gas-powered cars and reducing emissions.
During a White House ceremony, Trump criticized the state’s regulations, calling them “crazy.” He added, “It’s been a disaster for this country.”
The resolutions will prevent states from implementing its rule to phase out gas-powered cars by 2035 and end the sale of new ones. Additionally, they will halt rules targeting the reduction of medium- and heavy-duty diesel vehicles and cutting tailpipe emissions from trucks.
