First Circuit Holds that Smelling Vehicle Exhaust Constitutes Injury-in-Fact under Clean Air Act

February 27, 2025
Brandon P. Matsnev, Esq.
MGKF Litigation Blog

In Conservation Law Foundation, Inc. v. Academy Express, LLC, the Conservation Law Foundation brought a private right of action under the Clean Air Act, alleging that Academy Express, LLC, a bus company, allowed its vehicles to sit idle for excessive periods of time across Massachusetts and Connecticut. No. 20-10032-WGY (D. Mass. 2023). On appeal, the First Circuit decided an interesting question regarding standing: whether smelling odor from vehicle fumes was sufficient to confer standing to sue a particular bus company. The First Circuit said it was and so allowed the case to proceed.

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