Federal Judge Invalidates Biden Administration’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rule
In a major setback for the Biden administration’s climate agenda, a federal judge in Kentucky has invalidated the transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions rule. The rule, which required states to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles traveling on the national highway system, was blocked in 21 states by Judge Benjamin Beaton of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.
The ruling came as a victory for Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, who led a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in suing the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) over the rule. The states argued that the rule could hinder job creation and economic development.
In his 26-page order and opinion, Judge Beaton called the rule “invalid” and “a statutorily unsupported and substantively capricious exercise of the [FHWA] Administrator’s rulemaking authority.” However, it’s important to note that the ruling only applies to the 21 plaintiff states and not nationwide.
The FHWA spokesperson stated that the agency is reviewing the decision and determining next steps while remaining committed to supporting the Biden administration’s climate goals. This setback follows a similar ruling in Texas, where a judge blocked the enforcement of the emissions rule in that state.
The rule, issued by the FHWA in November 2023, was part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030. It required state transportation departments and metropolitan planning organizations to measure their transportation-related emissions on the U.S. highway system and set their own emission reduction targets. It also mandated reporting every two years on progress towards meeting those targets.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg praised the rule, stating that it would provide states with a framework to track carbon pollution and set their own climate targets. However, critics, including Attorney General Coleman, argued that it was part of President Biden’s “radical environmental agenda” that had lost touch with reality.
The ruling in Kentucky and the previous ruling in Texas highlight the legal challenges facing the Biden administration’s climate policies. The judge in Texas ruled that the FHWA lacked legal authority from Congress to enact the emissions rule and that it violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
Republicans, including Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Sam Graves and Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Rick Crawford, praised the rulings as a rejection of “blatant overreach” by the Biden administration. They argued that Congress had rejected the inclusion of a greenhouse gas performance measure requirement, making the administration’s rulemaking unlawful.
Overall, these rulings represent a setback for the Biden administration’s climate agenda and highlight the ongoing legal battles surrounding environmental regulations. As the administration continues to pursue its climate goals, it will likely face continued opposition and legal challenges from states and industry stakeholders. The outcome of these legal battles will have significant implications for the future of environmental policy in the United States.
