U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions ruled yesterday that Vermont's law designed to limit greenhouse gas global warming pollution from cars and trucks was not preempted. (Washington Post, Vermont Times Argus including VPIRG statement, New York Times). Vermont is one of about a dozen states that have adopted standards first approved in California, although the states must now wait for EPA waivers to finalize the rules. Environment Maryland's clean cars page explains the issues.

Also yesterday, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Vermont Senator Pat Leahy, held an important hearing on whether Bush administration agencies are engaged in a cooordinated campaign to usurp state authority. Key testimony was provided by Professor David Vladeck of Georgetown University Law Center. In addition to his testimony, he released a new report The Truth about Torts: Using Agency Preemption to Undercut Consumer Health and Safety jointly authored with other colleagues participating in the Center for Progressive Reform, a national network of scholars. Previous blog.