A group of 22 states led by California and four cities are backing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s new tailpipe emissions rules after 25 Republican-led states sued last week.
The lawsuit filed Thursday challenges the 2027-2032 model year EPA vehicle emissions rules that aim to cut fleetwide tailpipe emissions for cars and light trucks by nearly 50% over 2026 levels in 2032.
California, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania and 18 other states sought to intervene in the lawsuit saying they could be harmed if the EPA could not require future reductions in harmful vehicle emissions. Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York joined in filing the motion.
“Republicans are trying to roll back federal clean car standards. California won’t sit back and watch red states put the profits of Big Oil over our health and our planet,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom said on X.
But Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said the rules would harm the American economy, threaten jobs and raise prices while undermining the U.S. electricity grid. Coleman also said there is very little consumer interest in electric vehicles in his state.
“The Biden administration is willing to sacrifice the American auto industry and its workers in service of its radical green agenda. We just aren’t buying it,” Coleman said.
Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and passenger cars account for more than half of those emissions. Motor vehicles also contribute to ozone and particulate matter, which are linked to premature death, respiratory illness, cardiovascular problems and cancer.
Reuters contributed to this article.