Automakers’ bid to seal exhibits in trial is denied
A bid by car manufacturers to protect trade secrets during an environmental trial ran into strong resistance from a federal judge in Burlington, Vt.
The automakers are suing the state of Vermont over regulations to limit emissions of carbon dioxide from tailpipes. The emissions contribute to global warming.
The Vermont law is based on California rules that are the target of an auto industry lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Fresno.
Car companies said they needed to protect trade secrets. But Judge William K. Sessions III denied the automakers’ request to seal 121 exhibits and instead ordered them to seek confidentiality on a document-by-document basis.
-- Marc Lifsher
