Environmental Groups, Blue States Sue Trump Administration Over Obama Energy Efficiency Rules
Democratic attorneys general and environmental groups have filed suit against the Trump administration over its delay of energy efficiency rules put in place by President Obama.
The legal battle over Donald Trump’s decision to delay Obama-era energy efficiency standards has begun, with environmentalists and Democratic states attorneys general filing lawsuits over the Trump decision.
In March, Donald Trump proposed delaying and possibly eliminating several rules put in place by the Obama administration that set high energy efficiency standards for products like coolers, fans, etc.
Supporters of the energy efficiency the rules argue that the efficiency standards would save American consumers roughly $23 billion in lower energy bills, while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
On Monday, Ten states announced that they had filed suit over the Trump administration decision to delay the rules.
“Energy efficiency standards are vital to public health, our environment, and consumers,” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement.
“This is yet another example of how the Trump administration’s polluter-first energy policy has real and harmful impacts on the public health, environment — and pocketbooks — of New Yorkers.”
Four environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defence Council also announced that they have filed lawsuits against the Trump decision.
“Energy efficiency standards save energy, reduce energy bills and pollution, and create good-paying jobs,” said Kit Kennedy, the director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Energy and Transportation Program.
“The Trump administration should be embracing, not hampering, the efficiency standards program.”
