Fighting for clean cars.

IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT RHODE ISLANDERS' public health and curb greenhouse gas emissions in New England, CLF successfully petitioned to intervene in a lawsuit that could undermine the arrival of clean cars to the region. American and international automakers filed suit in Rhode Island Federal District Court to block new Rhode Island regulations under the federal Clean Air Act that would significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from passenger cars and trucks. The federal judge hearing the case has approved CLF's request to intervene in the case to defend the state's rule requiring the cleaner cars.

The auto industry argues that carbon dioxide is not a pollutant and that the states are pre-empted by other federal law from regulating CO, emissions from motor vehicles. The new rules, adopted in every New England state except New Hampshire and applicable to every model of car beginning in 2009, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks by an average of 30 percent by model year 2016. The new technologies will also improve fuel efficiency and save consumers money over the life of the vehicle.