Global Warming and Air Pollution
CTA Legal Petition Seeks Climate Change Amendments to CEQ NEPA Regs
February 28, 2008
In an effort to enhance governmental analysis and planning on climate change, on February 28, 2008, the International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Sierra Club filed a formal legal petition with the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) requesting that the agency amend its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing regulations to clarify that climate change analyses be included in all federal agency environmental review documents.
CTA Petitions EPA to Regulate GHG Emissions from Off Road Vehicles
January 29, 2008
In a petition crafted by the Western Environmental Law Center (WELC), the International Center on Technology Assessment (CTA), Center for Food Safety, and Friends of the Earth formally requested EPA to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, engines and equipment used for construction, agriculture, commercial, industrial, logging, garden, and recreation. The environmental groups were joined in this effort by several state attorneys general led by California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
CTA Demands EPA Implement Supreme Court’s Global Warming Ruling
January 23, 2008
CTA and other environmental groups have written the EPA Administrator demanding that the agency implement the Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts, et al v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) by issuing proposed regulations and an endangerment finding.
CTA Joins Legal Challenge To EPA’s Denial Of Waiver For CA Vehicle Regulations
January 2, 2008
CTA has joined four other environmental organizations (Sierra Club, NRDC, Conservation Law Foundation, and EDF) in filing a petition for review challenging the EPA’s denial of a Clean Air Act waiver to California for its latest vehicle emission standards that tackle carbon dioxide. California and 14 other states have filed a similar challenge. The case was filed in the 9th Circuit.
EPA Administrator Denies California Waiver On Vehicle Global Warming Emissions Regs
December 19, 2007
EPA Administrator Johnson denied California’s request to a waiver to federal standards in order to implement its carbon dioxide pollution standard for vehicles. The denial is unusual given that all past Californian waiver requests have been granted. Moreover, the EPA denial flies in the face of the Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts, et al v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) last year that directs the EPA to develop standards for regulating vehicle emissions of greenhouse gases.
CTA Wins Global Warming Case Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA
April 2, 2007
In a landmark environmental decision, April 2, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the CTA stating that the EPA had illegally denied CTA’s legal petition seeking the regulation greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act. The Supreme Court’s decision recognizes the science of climate change, states that greenhouse gases are “air pollutants” under the CAA, and directs the EPA to reconsider how it controls carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles.
Supreme Court Argument Transcript of Massachusetts, et al v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case)
November 29, 2006
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Nov. 29, 2006, in Massachusetts, et al v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case). The case was initiated by CTA in 1999 through the filing of a legal petition with EPA. CTA Legal Director, Joseph Mendelson, served as co-counsel in the case assisting the Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General, who argued before the Court, and others in the case.
Media Guide to Massachusetts, et al. v EPA (CTA Global Warming Case)
November 27, 2006
On November 29, 2006, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral argument in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case). This guide provides an overview of the legal issues before the Court, answers to frequently asked questions about the case, and information on where to find and how to contact key resources.
Chronology of Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case)
November 16, 2006
This timeline traces the history of the International Center for Technology Assessment’s (CTA) Global Warming Case seeking the regulation greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act from the initial filing of the legal petition through the United States Supreme Court’s granting of certiorari in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA, No. 05-1120.
Massachusetts, et al v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) – Petitioners’ Supreme Ct Reply Brief
November 15, 2006
Final reply brief of the International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), other environmental organizations, and state and city governments in the Supreme Court challenge to EPA’s denial of CTA’s Global Warming Legal Petition.
Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) – Respondent EPA’s Supreme Ct Brief
October 24, 2006
Federal Respondent EPA’s brief supporting the denial of the International Center for Technology Assessment’s (CTA) legal petition and the agency’s refusal to regulate the emission of global warming air pollutants under section 202 of the Clean Air Act.
Amicus Briefs Supporting CTA in Massachusetts, et al v. EPA
August 31, 2006
This page links to the amicus briefs filed in support of the CTA legal case Massachusetts, et al v. EPA.
Massachusetts, et al v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) – Petitioners’ Supreme Ct Brief
August 31, 2006
Opening Supreme Court brief of the International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), other environmental organizations, states and city governments challenging the EPA’s denial to regulate the emission of global warming air pollutants from motor vehicles under section 202 of the Clean Air Act.
Massachusetts, et al v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) – Supreme Court Cert Order
June 26, 2006
The United States Supreme Court grants certiorari in Massachusetts, et al v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case).
Petition for a Writ of Certiorari in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case)
March 1, 2006
The International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), thirteen other environmental organizations, twelve states, three cities and one U.S. territory petition the United States Supreme Court to review the D.C. Circuit decision in the CTA Global Waming Case seeking the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act.
United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Denies Petition for Rehearing in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case)
December 1, 2005
The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denies Massachusetts’ petition for rehearing en banc in the CTA Global Warming Case on a vote of 4-3. Judge Tatel writes in his dissent “[I]f global warming is not a matter of exception importance, then those words have no meaning.” Opinion also can be found at 433 F.3d 66 (D.C. Cir. 2005).
The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issues a split decision. Judge Randolph authors the Court’s lead opinion as well as its judgment. Judge Randolph votes to uphold the EPA’s denial of the International Center for Technology Assessment’s (CTA) Global Warming Legal Petition based upon the agency’s “policy considerations.” Judge Sentelle dissents because he views the Court lacking jurisdiction, but joins Judge Randolph in judgment. Justice Tatel dissents and would have found in favor of CTA.
Transcript of D.C. Circuit Proceedings in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case)
April 8, 2005
Transcript of the D.C. Circuit proceedings held on April 8, 2005.
Petitioners & Respondents in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case)
April 6, 2005
A listing of the parties that petitioned for review of the EPA’s denial of the International Center for Technology Assessment’s (CTA) Global Warming Legal Petition in the D.C. Circuit and those parties intervening in support of EPA.
Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming case) – Petitioners’ Final Reply Brief
December 17, 2004
Final reply brief of the International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), other environmental organizations, and state and city governments in the D.C. Circuit challenge to EPA’s denial of CTA’s Global Warming Legal Petition.
Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) – Amici & Interv. Briefs
November 2, 2004
Briefs by the Indigenous Environmental Network, REDOIL, and Physicians for Social Responsibility; industry intervenors; and intervenor states in the lawsuit challenging EPA’s denial of the International Center for Technology Assessments’s (CTA) Global Warming Legal Petition.
Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) – EPA’s Final Brief
October 12, 2004
EPA’s final brief in the D.C. Circuit proceeding challenging the agency’s denial of the International Center for Technology Assessment’s (CTA) Global Warming Legal Petition seeking the regulation of greenhouse gases emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) – Petitioners’ Final Brief
June 22, 2004
Final merits brief of the International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), other environmental organizations, and state and city governments in the D.C. Circuit challenge to EPA’s denial of CTA’s Global Warming Legal Petition.
Massachusetts, et al v. EPA (CTA Global Warming Case) – Petitions for Review
October 23, 2003
The International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), thirteen other environmental organizations, twelve states, three cities, and one U.S. territory file petitions for review of EPA’s denial of the CTA Global Warming Legal Petition in the D.C. Circuit. The court consolidates the cases as Massachusetts, et al v. EPA.
Federal Register Notice: “Control of Emissions From New Highway Vehicles and Engines”
September 8, 2003
EPA denies International Center for Technology Assessment’s (CTA) Global Warming Legal Petition seeking the regulation of automobile greenhouse gas emissions under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act.
Fabricant Memo: EPA’s Authority to Impose Mandatory Controls to Address Global Climate Change Under the Clean Air Act
August 28, 2003
In denying the International Center for Technology Assessment’s (CTA) Global Warming Legal Petition, EPA’s general counsel concludes that the Clean Air Act does not authorize EPA to regulate emissions for global climate change purposes.
International Center for Technology Assessment et al. v. Whitman, First Amended Complaint for Declaratory Relief
December 5, 2002
International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA), Sierra Club, and Greenpeace sue EPA seeking to compel the agency to answer the Global Warming Legal Petition.
View the Press Release.
EPA Seeks Public Comment on CTA Global Warming Legal Petition
January 23, 2001
EPA publishes notice of receipt of the International Center for Technology Assessment’s (CTA) Global Warming Legal Petition in the Federal Register and solicits public comment.
CTA Files Legal Petition for Rulemaking on Global Warming Emissions
October 20, 1999
The International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA) files a legal petition with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking the regulation automobile greenhouse gases emissions under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act.
View the Press Release.