FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/20/2012
Contact: Eitan Bencuya: 202-495-3047, eitan.bencuya@sierraclub.org
D.C. Court of Appeals Denies Petitions for Rehearing, Upholding Greenhouse Gas Safeguards
WASHINGTON D.C. -- Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied requests for rehearing its decision to uphold the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) historic climate and clean air protections. By denying rehearing, the Court has kept these crucial climate and public health safeguards in place.
The rules industrial polluters sought to challenge included:
- The Climate Pollution Endangerment Finding: After an extensive review of scientific research and peer-reviewed studies, the EPA found that six greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare.
- The Clean Car Standards: The EPA established cost-saving fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks, saving consumers an estimated $3,000 at the pump over the life of the vehicle, reducing reliance on foreign oil by 1.8 billion barrels over the life of the vehicle, and cutting greenhouse gas pollution by 960 million tons.
- The Timing and Tailoring Rules: The EPA phased in carbon pollution permits for the biggest industrial pollution sources, while protecting small businesses.
In response, Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club issued the following statement:
“Today’s decision once again reaffirms what public health and environmental advocates have known for decades: that the Environmental Protection Agency has the responsibility under the Clean Air Act to protect American families from dangerous carbon pollution.
“The Sierra Club applauds the court’s decision to deny these baseless challenges from major industrial polluters. With today’s decision, the path is clear for the EPA to continue its work implementing essential climate and public health safeguards.”
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