Republican attorneys general from 25 states on Thursday sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to block rules intended to reduce planet-warming emissions from cars and light trucks and encourage electric vehicle manufacturing, arguing the agency exceeded its legal authority.
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. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey called the rules"legally flawed and unrealistic, to say the least."The regulations are among the most significant environmental rules implemented under Biden, who has made tackling climate change a key pillar of his presidency.
The EPA said the final rule cuts emissions by 49% by 2032 over 2026 levels compared with 56% under its previous plan. EPA chief Michael Regan said the rule impose"absolutely no mandate" on manufacturers to adopt electric vehicles.