Car Makers Lose Fight To Block Rhode Island Tailpipe Emission Rules

November 27, 2008 6:20 a.m. EST

Washington, DC (AHN) - Automakers cannot sue Rhode Island to stop the state from adopting the same greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions standards that California enforces, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

The pollution rules have been adopted by about 15 states, and they require automakers to significantly cut carbon dioxide emissions - by 30 percent -- by 2016.

U.S. District Court Judge Ernest Torres ruled that since car companies and two industry trade groups lost similar efforts to block the emissions standards in two other states, General Motors and Chrysler and the trade groups could not continue their lawsuit against Rhode Island, the Providence Business News reported.

The trade groups involved in the case are the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers.

Federal law allows California to adopt stricter car pollution rules than the federal government because of its history with smog problems.

Torres ruled that local automobile dealers could continue their case against the state.

States must apply to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a waiver before they can adopt the California greenhouse gas emissions standards. California fought the requirement in federal court.

The case is still pending, but President-elect Barack Obama's administration is expected to overturn the waiver requirement.