VICTORY FOR STATES: Court grants dismissal of appeal, Trump administration defeats Biden-era climate rule
02/07/2025 / By Willow Tohi
The Trump administration succeeded in dismissing an appeal challenging a lower court’s ruling against a Biden-era climate regulation, effectively ending the rule aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a 2023 rule mandating states to reduce vehicle emissions. However, U.S. District Judge Benjamin J. Beaton ruled in 2024 that the FHWA administrator had overstepped their authority, stating that the agency cannot set specific targets for states.
Following President Trump’s return to the White House, the FHWA withdrew the appeal, aligning with the states that had sued over the rule. This decision was based on a rule allowing appealing parties to withdraw their cases without causing injustice.
The dismissal of the appeal has been celebrated by Republican lawmakers and state officials as a victory for state sovereignty and the rule of law, reinforcing the principle that federal agencies do not have authority beyond what is granted by Congress.
This ruling is part of a larger trend of judicial and legislative pushback against expansive federal regulations, particularly those related to climate and environmental policies, reflecting a conservative agenda to limit federal power and promote state autonomy.
https://www.pollution.news/2025-02-07-trump-administration-defeats-biden-era-climate-rule.html
