EPA Emissions Rollback Leaves State AGs Little Choice But to Fight Back

Washington, D.C. — David Hayes, executive director of the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at NYU School of Law, released the following statement:

“EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has picked another senseless, destructive fight by undercutting tailpipe emissions reductions that industry, state and federal governments and the public worked together to put in place. Pruitt leaves state attorneys general little choice but to fight back -- and add to their courthouse victory tally.”

BACKGROUND

In June 2017, a coalition of state attorneys general sent a letter to EPA threatening legal action if EPA attempts to weaken air pollution standards set for passenger cars and light-duty trucks for model years 2022-2025. The higher mileage requirements are projected to eliminate as much as six billion metric tons of greenhouse gases and save consumers more than $1 trillion at the pump over the lifetime of the cars affected.

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About the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center:
The State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan academic center at NYU School of Law. The Center is dedicated to working towards a healthy and safe environment, guided by inclusive and equitable principles. The Center studies and supports the work of state attorneys general (AGs) in defending, enforcing, and promoting strong laws and policies in the areas of climate, environmental justice, environmental protection, and clean energy.