Today thirteen environmental, public health and consumer
organizations moved to join as intervener-defendants in federal court to defend
New Mexico’s Clean Car standards.
Adopted in November 2007, New Mexico
became the 13th state to adopt the Clean Cars Program, which will
cut toxic air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles, while
saving consumers money at the pump.
Since then, Zangara Dodge, Jack Key Motors, the National
Automobile Dealers Association and other dealerships have sued the State of New
Mexico and the City of Albuquerque
in federal court, challenging the program. Similar lawsuits filed in CaliforniaVermont by auto manufacturers
have failed.
and
“This lawsuit is frivolous. We’re confidant that the Court
will uphold New Mexico’s
program,” said Environment New Mexico Advocate Lauren Ketcham.
“It’s unfortunate that the auto industry continues to fight innovation, rather
than rolling up their sleeves and working to deliver the cleaner vehicles
drivers want.”
The groups that moved to join as intervener-defendants today
are: Environment New Mexico, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club,
Environmental Defense, Southwest Environmental Center, 1000 Friends of New
Mexico, New Mexico Physicians for Social Responsibility, Southwest Energy
Alliance, Consumer Federation of America, New Mexico Public Interest Research
Group, American Lung Association of New Mexico, Coalition for Clean Affordable
Energy and New Energy Economy.
