SAN FRANCISCO—Global Exchange Campaign Director Mike Hudema and Rainforest Action Network Campaign Director Sarah Connolly today released the following statement in response to the Vermont Federal District Court's decision to back states' measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

"The Vermont ruling proves beyond a doubt that the auto industry's opposition to curbing emissions—claiming it would make vehicles unaffordable and unsafe—is more rhetoric than reality. In fact, at current gas prices, increased fuel efficiency prompted by emissions regulation would save the average car customer $5,000 over the course of a vehicle's lifetime.

"The Vermont ruling is an opportunity for the automakers to finally stop lobbying against progress and start mass-producing the cleaner cars that consumers want and the world needs. For years, the automakers have told us what they can't do. Now is their chance to show us what they can do. The automakers can return to being innovators by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and becoming an integral part of the global warming solution.

"Today's decision will have an immediate and profound impact in California, where GM, Ford and Toyota continue to pursue a similar lawsuit. The ruling from Vermont sends a clear signal to the auto industry and its lobbyists that it is time to stop producing gas guzzlers and end litigation efforts."

The Freedom From Oil campaign is working to end America's oil dependence, stop oil wars, and curb global climate change by convincing the auto industry to dramatically improve fuel efficiency and eliminate vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, visit www.freedomfromoil.org.