Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington joined the brief
 
Oregon Attorney General John Kroger today filed a brief in support of state efforts to curb greenhouse gas pollution from vehicle fuels. The brief was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, through their attorneys general, also joined the brief.
 
The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas pollution in Oregon and California. To reduce greenhouse gas pollution, California adopted a low carbon fuel standards program, which provides incentives for the production of bioethanol, biodiesel and other advanced fuels that are cleaner than gasoline and diesel. Midwestern ethanol producers and petroleum interests sued in federal district court in the Eastern District of California, contending that the California program was inconsistent with federal fuel standards and places California ethanol at a competitive advantage over other states. The district court agreed and blocked California from implementing its program. California appealed, joined by numerous states and national environmental organizations.
 
As in California, Oregon policymakers are interested in adopting a program for cleaner vehicle fuels. The legislature has authorized the Environmental Quality Commission to adopt an Oregon program to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from vehicle fuels, and earlier this year Governor John Kitzhaber directed the Department of Environmental Quality to propose an Oregon program. Other states, including Washington and East coast states, have been involved in similar efforts. Over time these programs have the potential to greatly reduce greenhouse gas pollution and mitigate the harm that climate change causes to states.
Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate and defend the rights of all Oregonians.

Contact:

Oregon Department of Justice: 503-378-6002