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Editorial: 1 step closer to cleaner air
EPA needs to grant waiver
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California has cleared a major roadblock in its fight to reduce tailpipe emissions from the millions of vehicles that traverse its highways. But, another hurdle still awaits.
In 2004, automakers sued the state over whether it had the power to set its own emissions standards. Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Ishii sided with the state, ruling it does indeed have that authority.
"It's a major victory and a giant step forward for California," state Attorney General Jerry Brown told The Associated Press. "I hope this will get the attention of President Bush and have him support significant caps on greenhouse gas emissions."
However, before the state can require automakers to build vehicles that produce fewer greenhouse gases, it still needs a favorable court ruling against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In November, state officials and an impatient Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sued the EPA over its failure to grant a waiver, allowing it to regulate auto emissions, that has been pending since 2005. The EPA had dodged issuing the waiver, saying it was awaiting a decision on the auto industry's lawsuit.
The waiver would allow California to impose AB1493, authored by former Assemblywoman Fran Pavley. The law requires automakers to cut tailpipe emissions by 25 percent from cars and trucks, and 18 percent from sport utility vehicles, starting with 2009 models. It's estimated the new rules would slice global-warming emissions in the state by as much as 30 percent by 2020.
Under the Clean Air Act, California has the authority to enact its own tougher regulations once it gets EPA permission. Other states can then choose either the federal or California standards. At least 16 states are poised to follow California's lead.
That's what makes the waiver so vital.
California is one of the nation's largest emitters of greenhouse gases. It should be applauded for its efforts to reduce such emissions, not stonewalled. Now that the auto industry's lawsuit has been rejected, the EPA needs to grant the waiver quickly.
Posted by jw1000 on December 13, 2007 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you really want cleaner air? Then don't vote for Gallegly, McClintock or ANY of the Stricklands.
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