On December 7, 2004, the major automakers filed lawsuits in state and federal court in Fresno to block California from implementing its landmark vehicle global warming pollution regulation. On December 11, 2007, U.S. District Judge Anthony Ishii rejected the claims of the automakers and dismissed the lawsuit.
In the suit, thirteen Central Valley car dealers joined the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota and others, as plaintiffs.
The trial, originally scheduled for January 2007, had been delayed pending the outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency.
Two groups of environmental organizations were intervenors in support of the defendant: the California Air Resources Board. Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Environmental Defense have joined as one intervenor. Bluewater Network, Global Exchange and Rainforest Action Network have joined as another intervenor. Intervening on behalf of the plaintiffs was the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, which represents Honda, Nissan, Hyundai and other foreign carmakers.
More Information on Legal Challenges
Further Insight on Legal Arguments
- An article arguing that
the foreign affairs power does not preempt state GHG regulations
appeared in the April 2006 Harvard Law Review, Vol. 119, pp.
1877-1898
- U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals split decision on federal CO2 case poses no
obstacle to California vehicle emissions standards – NRDC
news release, July 15, 2005
- Automaker Legal Issues and Answers
Fact Sheet, a primer, prepared by attorneys for the environmental
interveners, Sierra Club, NRDC and Environmental Defense
- Legal Precedent Favors
New Tailpipe Standard – NRDC Fact Sheet
- Clean Cars Campaign call automakers’ legal challenge of the state’s vehicle global warming regulation an attack on the state’s right to protect its citizens from auto air pollution.
