NRDC: Trump Administration Sides With Oil Industry Over Drivers
As oil prices spike, Department of Justice goes to court to block California’s vehicle emissions standards.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump administration’s Department of Justice filed a lawsuit today to try blocking California’s vehicles emissions standards, including its zero-emissions vehicle program. Federal law authorizes other states to adopt California’s standards, making cleaner, more affordable options broadly available.
The filing comes as oil prices skyrocket, a vivid reminder to drivers that cleaner vehicles can also save them money at the pump.
The following is comment from Atid Kimelman, an attorney in the clean vehicles program at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
"With prices at the pump spiking, the Trump administration is launching yet another attack on drivers’ access to cleaner vehicles. Courts rejected these same legal arguments nearly two decades ago. They should be quickly dismissed now.
“But, more importantly, this attack on California's programs to provide cheaper, less polluting vehicles is yet another example of this administration’s efforts to enrich the oil industry at the expense of everyday drivers.”
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).