FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2024) – Attorney General Russell Coleman led a 21 state coalition to block President Biden’s latest attempt to over-regulate every Kentuckian who drives a car. General Coleman’s coalition filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky seeking to stop the Biden Administration’s stringent climate mandate, which would force states with federal interstates and highways to rapidly reduce CO2 emissions or face potential penalties.
“President Biden’s radical climate crackdown is a direct assault on every Kentuckian's wallet and the latest attempt to drive every gas-powered car off the road,” said General Coleman. “Our office is leading the fight to stop this Administration from raising costs for families, farmers and small business owners when they can least afford it.”
The Federal Highway Administration climate rule requires states to track and report transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. States are then required to establish targets for reducing CO2 emissions generated by vehicles and report to the federal agency by February 1.
Kentucky’s coalition asserts that the emissions rule is yet another unlawful attempt by the Biden Administration to achieve radical climate goals. Not only does the Federal Highway Administration lack any authority to regulate the environment, but the mandate also infringes on state sovereignty and violates the principles of federalism.
If the rule takes effect, Kentucky and other states would be forced to devote significant resources to comply with the February 1 deadline. Estimates show that the cost to establish initial emissions targets requires hundreds hours of manpower, costing each state over $600,000.
Attorney General Coleman filed the preliminary injunction motion alongside Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
View a copy of the court filing here.