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US judge strikes down Biden highway climate guideline for states

A U.S. judge in Texas struck down an environment guideline adopted by the Biden administration needing states to measure and set decreasing targets for greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles using the nationwide highway system.

Texas had taken legal action against the U.S. Department of Transport (DOT). in December, arguing the company did not have legal authority to enact. the guideline. A separate claim was filed by 21 other states.

In a choice provided late on Wednesday, U.S. District. Judge James Wesley Hendrix, who was selected by previous. President Donald Trump, stated he agreed with Texas in its case. that the guideline was unauthorized.

The DOT did not respond immediately to an ask for comment. on Thursday.

This last guideline provided in December by the DOT's Federal. Highway Administration (FHWA) requires states to determine and. report greenhouse gas emissions from transport and to. develop declining carbon dioxide targets and report on. progress toward achieving those targets.

Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in December the. new performance step will supply states with a clear and. constant structure to track carbon contamination and the. flexibility to set their own climate targets.

The FHWA noted it did not mandate how low targets need to be. and rather gave state transportation departments versatility to. set targets that were suitable as long as the targets aimed. to lower emissions over time.

The agency stated it would examine whether states make. substantial progress towards accomplishing their targets however kept in mind. the guideline did not impose penalties for those who missed their. targets.

The FHWA said the rule was important to the Biden. administration target of net-zero emissions economy-wide by. 2050, however the final guideline did not require states to set. declining targets to line up with the 2050 goal.

Texas Attorney General Of The United States Ken Paxton dramatically criticized the. effort, stating the state would work to stop unlawful environment. mandates.

A different group of 21 states taken legal action against in December in Kentucky. Challenging the policy. That suit is still pending.

In 2018, the Trump administration reversed a guideline provided. under then-President Barack Obama needing states to track. greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles on the country's highways.

(source: Reuters)