Vermont is joining 11 other states in the Trump administration for California鈥檚 long-standing ability to regulate air pollution from cars and trucks more stringently than the federal government, and to require the sale of more electric vehicles within its borders.
At stake is Vermont and other states鈥� ability to phase out the sale of new gasoline and diesel powered cars, in favor of electric alternatives.
The lawsuit alleges that Congress 鈥� and the president in signing resolutions earlier this week 鈥� acted illegally to revoke waivers that allow California to set these stricter standards, and other states to follow their lead.
Vermont is that have adopted California鈥檚 rules.
In a statement issued Thursday, President Donald Trump was critical of California鈥檚 policy:
鈥淚t is the Federal Government, not states, that should establish vehicle emissions standards given the inherently interstate nature of air quality,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 patchwork of state vehicle regulations on this subject is unworkable.鈥�
More from 开云体育: Vermont鈥檚 planned EV chargers on pause after Trump suspends program
In a statement, Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark called the move an 鈥渋nappropriate overreach鈥� by Congress and the administration.
鈥淰ermonters believe in protecting our environment and we understand the importance of transitioning to cleaner cars and trucks,鈥� Clark said. 鈥淎nd critically, Congress cannot circumvent the processes enshrined in the Clean Air Act.鈥�
Vermont is one of several states that has adopted California鈥檚 standards for cars and trucks, which would phase out the sale of new diesel and gasoline powered vehicles by 2035.
To date, it鈥檚 the biggest step outlined in Vermont鈥檚 Climate Action Plan that the state has taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
Reducing climate-warming pollution from cars and trucks will be crucial for Vermont to meet its statutory commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the Global Warming Solutions Act, as transit is the state鈥檚 biggest source of emissions.
Gov. Phil Scott issued an this spring pausing Vermont鈥檚 implementation of the latest phase of California鈥檚 EV rule, which was set to require car manufacturers to send more electric vehicles to Vermont car dealerships starting in January 2026.
More from Vermont Edition: Why did Gov. Scott pause the electric vehicle mandate?
Vermont first signed on to follow California鈥檚 lead in regulating car emissions decades ago. Clark said it reflects the state's longstanding commitment to protecting the environment 鈥� and a system that has been in place and worked well for a long time.
鈥淭wenty-five years ago we jumped on board, and we've been able to live in our values for this whole time,鈥� Clark said. 鈥淣ow we're in a situation where it's really disappointing that we have a president who doesn't want to follow the rules, and we're having to waste time in court fighting for what we should be able to have just by virtue of the law.鈥�
The lawsuit filed Thursday argues that Congress and the federal government are circumventing the established process to roll back the waivers. The states say this flies in the face of long-standing legal precedent under the Clean Air Act and other laws, and is unconstitutional.
They allege the Trump administration is violating states鈥� rights and subverting the separation of powers, among other complaints.
Elena Mihaly is a lawyer with the environmental nonprofit Conservation Law Foundation. She applauded Vermont's lawsuit, and said these rules are critical for New England states in particular.
"Transportation is one of, if not the largest, source of carbon pollution in New England," Mihaly said. "It's really important that we retain having a way to tackle that pollution issue."
California, Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington are among the other states filing suit.
Mihaly said it's critical that even small states like Vermont take a stand against efforts to roll back environmental protections at the federal level.
"I think this is a time where we need states to be not abandoning their own climate policies and not letting the Trump administration tell them what they can and cannot do in terms of tackling climate change in their state," she said.
This is the third environmental lawsuit Vermont has brought against the Trump administration since President Trump took office in January.
