WASHINGTON - November 21 - Next week, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a landmark global warming case, Massachusetts v. EPA. This case will decide whether the Clean Air Act authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the pollution that causes global warming.

In contrast to previous EPA legal opinions, the Bush administration has argued that EPA does not have authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate global warming pollution. Challenging this position is a coalition of nearly 30 states, cities, and environmental organizations.

This decision will not only determine whether EPA has the authority to regulate global warming emissions, it will also have a direct bearing on the eleven states across the country that have adopted global warming tailpipe emissions standards for cars and trucks. Under the Clean Air Act, states may decide to adopt the California tailpipe emissions standards in lieu of the federal standards. California has adopted regulations that would reduce fleet-wide global warming emissions from new vehicles by 25 percent in model year 2009, rising to a 30 percent reduction in model year 2016.

An overview of the case, a complete list of the parties and amici, and all related legal documents can be found at: http://www.sierraclub.org/environmentallaw/lawsuits/viewCase.asp?id=316

WHAT: Oral arguments in the case of Massachusetts v. EPA
WHEN: Wednesday, November 29th, 2006
WHERE: Supreme Court of the United States

MEDIA CONTACTS: The lead attorneys for the environmental community in this case are available to discuss the case in greater detail. To speak with the attorneys, please call the media contacts listed below.

David Bookbinder
Senior Attorney
Sierra Club
Media Contact: Josh Dorner, Sierra Club, (202) 675-2384

David Doniger
Climate Center Policy Director
Natural Resources Defense Council
Media Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, NRDC, (202) 513-6254

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