The U.S. EPA has denied California the waiver it needed to enact a state law requiring a 30 percent reduction in vehicle greenhouse-gas emissions by 2016. Said EPA chief Stephen Johnson, "The Bush administration is moving forward with a clear national solution -- not a confusing patchwork of state rules -- to reduce America's climate footprint from vehicles." But that decision was at odds with the unanimous recommendation of EPA's legal and technical teams. The agency had delayed so long on making the decision that California sued to get 'em to hurry up, obviously hoping for a different outcome. Sixteen other states would have adopted California's regulations had the EPA OK'd the waiver; they still may get the chance, as California Attorney General Jerry Brown is none too pleased with the decision. "There is absolutely no legal justification for the Bush administration to deny this request," he says. "Gov. Schwarzenegger and I are preparing to sue at the earliest possible moment." It's a suit that even EPA's lawyers think the agency will lose.
source: Associated Press, Office of the Attorney General, The Washington Post
see also, in Gristmill: Analysis of the EPA’s decision to deny California’s waiver
see also, in Gristmill: Bushies laud state policies when excusing inaction, shut them down when they threaten contributors
China blasts U.S. climate bill enabling penalties on trade partners
Conservative activists wage war on Republicans who voted for climate bill
Comments View as Flat
GreyFlcn Posted 11:31 am
19 Dec 2007
Vigilence
And so the fight goes on.
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el mono Posted 2:47 pm
19 Dec 2007
I'm not surprised ...
... but still sad.
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triveds90 Posted 1:32 am
20 Dec 2007
question
while this inquiry may seem ignorant, how can emission standards be set on a state level? does it not originate in the production of the cars themselves? should we not hold car companies responsible?
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WWAGD?! Posted 2:45 am
20 Dec 2007
Where's Dr. Severinsen?
That picture gives me flashbacks to the Tonight Show.
"You are correct, sir!"
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iprefertherain Posted 4:24 am
20 Dec 2007
... And THAT is why I'm proud to be California
Because even our Republican governor knows that Bush has NO CLUE about the environment.
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iprefertherain Posted 4:24 am
20 Dec 2007
*A Californian
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TitanGreens Posted 5:16 am
20 Dec 2007
How times have changed...
He used to blow up bad guys, and now he's suing the EPA. The more things change, the more they stay the same...
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kelly90 Posted 8:14 am
08 Jan 2008
how can emission standards be set on a state level
If the emission levels remained the same for a car after the first couple of years, that would fit your argument. However, as the car ages and/or is not properly maintained (i.e. oil changes, tune ups) the emission can be much worse. In Illinois, for certain regions, we require annual emission testing for most vehicles. If the car doesn't pass and doesn't get repairs such as tune ups, the owner's license can be suspended.
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Dragon Posted 3:27 am
20 May 2008
Which one of these things is different....
Lemmings. You. Them. Everyone. How long will you let corruption rule this country and this planet?
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