DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION JOINS LAWSUIT AGAINST EPA TO DEFEND CALIFORNIA’S ADVANCED CLEAN CAR STANDARDS

If successful, New York and 13 other states would be allowed to keep higher emissions standards that have become substantial tool in global warming fight

 The de Blasio Administration  filed a joint lawsuit opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) attempt to revoke the portions of a waiver it granted California in 2013 that permit the state to implement stricter greenhouse gas and zero emission vehicle standards. The action, filed in the D.C. Circuit by a coalition led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, is part of the coalition’s ongoing fight to protect California’s Advanced Clean Car Standards.

These standards are followed, in whole or in part, by 13 other states, including New York State. They are a key part of local government efforts to protect their residents from the devastating effects of climate change.   

“The Trump Administration’s attempts to roll back emissions standards will be a disaster for our environment, hasten the impact of global warming, and endanger the health of New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “New York City is leading the way in the fight against global warming by enacting our Green New Deal and ending greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We’ve consistently beaten the Trump Administration’s disastrous policies in court, and for the sake of the health and environment of all New Yorkers, we look forward to doing it again.”

“Global warming causes heat waves, rising sea levels, and droughts, which harm the most vulnerable individuals in our communities including the elderly and children,” said Corporation Counsel James E. Johnson. “EPA moves us backwards when it seeks to revoke an initiative that has supported the City’s efforts to reduce emissions and encourage the development of clean air technologies.  We have a duty to join this nationwide coalition to oppose EPA’s latest effort to roll back yet another environmental protection.”

New York City joined the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia; as well as the cities of Los Angeles, and San Francisco in today’s filing.

“The Trump administration continues to undermine the work, small and large, that is necessary to confront our climate crisis,” said Daniel Zarrilli, NYC's Chief Climate Policy Advisor and OneNYC Director.  “Here in New York City, we will continue to fight back against these reckless actions as we invest in the climate solutions that are allowing us to end our reliance on fossil fuels and pursue a just transition to a clean energy economy.”