Other LanguagesEPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler reverses Pruitt decision to remove cap on glider truck manufacturing
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to withdraw former Administrator Scott Pruitt’s action to remove caps on the annual number of “glider” trucks allowed. Glider trucks are trucks built with a new body, or chassis, but outfitted with highly polluting, refurbished engines that skirt modern emissions standards.
“Just one week after my office and other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit, the EPA reversed course on an unlawful action taken by Scott Pruitt on his last day as administrator.
“Scott Pruitt went out the way he came in - focused on unlawfully rolling back critical environmental protections. Fortunately, Democratic Attorneys General beat him in court - repeatedly.
“This is the fourth unlawful action taken by Scott Pruitt’s EPA that my office helped overturn through litigation - and none of these cases can be appealed.
“Our role holding the Trump Administration accountable to the rule of law is critical. We are 7-0 in cases against the Trump Administration that have resolved without the possibility of further appeal. We have important trial court victories in three additional cases, blocking the rescission of DACA and the transgender military ban. No court to review one of my lawsuits against the Trump Administration on the merits has ruled against us. We will continue our efforts to defend the rule of law.”
On Pruitt’s last day in office, he issued a memo declaring the EPA would not enforce Obama-era limits on gliders of up to 300 per manufacturer. On July 26, EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler issued a memo withdrawing Pruitt’s guidance that suspended limits on glider trucks.
One week before Wheeler’s announcement, Washington and 16 other attorneys general filed a petition for review and an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging Pruitt’s action.
According to the EPA’s own research, glider trucks emit up to 43 times more nitrogen oxide, which contributes to smog and respiratory problems, and up to 55 times more particulate matter, which can cause breathing problems, asthma and heart attacks. In some driving conditions, glider trucks’ particulate matter emissions were up to 450 times higher.
More information on Ferguson’s lawsuits against the Administration can be found here.
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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
Contacts:
Brionna Aho, Communications Director, (360) 753-2727; brionna.aho@atg.wa.gov