The Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal by city officials who want to force cabs to purchase more fuel-efficient cars.

The suit was brought by the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade in 2007, when the city first announced plans to require cabs get at least 30 miles per gallon by 2009. Spokesman Michael Woloz said the victory is bittersweet.

"It's very unfortunate because everybody — the city and the industry — could have used that four years to really get a more fuel-efficient fleet on the streets already," he said.

Woloz said that time could have been spent negotiating for a more reasonable time table to phase in fuel-efficient cabs.

Taxi and Limousine commissioner David Yassky said in a statement that the city would seek other ways to improve the city's air. He said some fleet owners have seen the "clear logic" of using greener cabs, and have voluntarily put 4,300 hybrids in service.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city will try to lobby federal officials, and that Monday's decision won't put a cramp in the city's greening plan.

Federal judges said it is up to federal agencies and not local officials to regulate fuel economy and emission standards.

With the Associated Press