23 States Take Legal Action against Trump Administration to Protect Millions from Vehicle Pollution

Today, as millions across the nation are calling for climate action, an extensive coalition of 23 states, the District of Columbia and two major cities are taking legal action against the Trump administration’s attempt to repeal long-standing state authority to protect millions of people from the pollution emitted by cars.

The states – including both California and Michigan – filed a lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Environmental Defense Fund released the following statement:

“EDF stands with these states and cities that are protecting our clean air laws and protecting the health of millions threatened by the scourge of climate and air pollution. In the coming days, we will file suit to defend the state clean car safeguards that reduce dangerous air pollution and save Americans hard-earned money at the gas pump while spurring innovation and creating jobs.”

- Vickie Patton, Environmental Defense Fund general counsel

The Trump administration announced yesterday that it would try to revoke state authority on clean car standards – authority that is part of the Clean Air Act and has been in use for more than half a century.

The full list of states and cities filing today include: the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin; the Commonwealths of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; the People of the State of Michigan; the District of Columbia; and the cities of Los Angeles and New York.