Environmental advocates won a major victory Wednesday when Vermont U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions ruled that states including Vermont and California can regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. In his 240-page ruling, Sessions rejected auto manufacturers’ and dealers’ claims that federal law preempts state rules and that the technology is not yet available to make compliance possible. “History suggests that the ingenuity of the industry, once put in gear, responds admirably to most technological challenges,” Sessions wrote in his decision concluding the 16-day trial.
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Emissions Ruling Puts States in Driver’s Seat
Posted by: Katherine Noyes September 13, 2007 10:54 AMEnvironmental advocates won a major victory Wednesday when Vermont U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions ruled that states including Vermont and California can regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. In his 240-page ruling, Sessions rejected auto manufacturers’ and dealers’ claims that federal law preempts state rules and that the technology is not yet available to make compliance possible. “History suggests that the ingenuity of the industry, once put in gear, responds admirably to most technological challenges,” Sessions wrote in his decision concluding the 16-day trial.