Appeals Court Rejects Greenhouse Gas Lawsuit

A federal appeals court in Washington rejected a petition by Massachusetts and 17 other states attempting to force a quick decision from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on how to regulate greenhouse gases.

The petition alleged the agency was dragging its feet in enforcing a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that called for an EPA determination on whether greenhouse gases from cars and trucks are harmful.

Stephen Johnson, EPA administrator, had said a decision would be made by the end of 2007, but he has not yet made the decision.