On April 6 and 7, 2010, automakers filed motions to withdraw their appeals in three lawsuits challenging California’s GHG emissions standards for vehicles. Central Valley Chrysler-Jeep Inc. v. Goldstene, 9th Cir., No. 08-17378, (motion to dismiss filed Apr. 6, 2010), Lincoln-Dodge Inc. v. Sullivan, D. R.I., No. 06-70T, (motion to dismiss filed Apr. 7, 2010), and Green Mountain Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep v. Crombie, D. Vt., No. 05-cv-302 (motion to dismiss filed Apr. 7, 2010). In Lincoln-Dodge, Inc. and Green Mountain, automakers had challenged Rhode Island’s and Vermont’s adoption of California’s vehicle emission standards before California agreed, in May 2009, to accept compliance with revised federal emission limits as compliance with its own standards. The automakers’ challenge in Goldstene to California’s GHG emission limits for vehicles was likewise withdrawn after the May 2009 agreement between California and the federal government eliminated the disparities between California emission limits and federal limits until at least 2016. The withdrawal of appeals in all three cases fulfilled the automakers’ promise, made as part of the May 2009 agreement, to drop their suits after federal GHG emission standards were issued and California agreed to recognize those standards as compliant with the state’s rules.
Automakers Abandon Suits Against California’s GHG Emissions Standards for Vehicles