California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell (R) take to the pages of the Washington Post to send President Bush a simple message: "It's high time the federal government becomes our partner or gets out of the way."
At issue is the waiver Calif. and 11 other states need from the EPA to implement their new tailpipe-emissions standards. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court made it clear that California is perfectly within its rights to implement tougher-than-federal standards. All it needs is the waiver -- just like the dozens of waivers it's gotten from EPA in the past.
But the EPA is dragging its feet, and Arnie is getting pissed.
Tell me, in a PR battle between the Governator and The Decider, who's going to come out looking good? Is Bush really prepared to pile this final act of petulance onto the rubble of his historical legacy?
Capturing the massive social benefits of fuel efficiency requires regulation
Comments
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caniscandida Posted 4:53 am
22 May 2007
It would have been a bit more powerful, if they had speculated on the motives of the EPA and the Bushies for remaining so obstructively "in the way." Because the Bushies are beholden to Dick Cheney's oil-industry pals, who do not like the prospect of selling less gasoline? Because they are beholden to the automobile manufacturers, who do not want to be bothered with redesigning their production? But surely they realize that adapting now to Arnie's enlightened regime of higher tail-pipe emissions standards will be good for them in the long run?
Anyway, how does this message from Arnie and Jodi Rell work now? What kind of pressure does it apply? DC is right now preoccupied with the military funding bill and the immigration reform bill -- so is anyone going to pay attention to Arnie vs. the EPA?
Chickens are our cousins!
So are other sensitive animals!
Enough is enough!
No more factory farms!
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zackk Posted 10:15 am
22 May 2007
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Jones Posted 11:30 am
22 May 2007
I'm not saying we know exactly what to do, but as everyone keeps saying, the technology is here or on the point of being ready. People would really respond if someone other than Amory Lovins were to give the issue clarity: put all the pieces in order, and chart a plausible course to a fossil-free future.
I don't know Arnie's actual record very well, but he seems to be someone that people trust, and has a good deal of bi-partisan cred. When he does stuff like this (the letter), he really comes off as taking action on the basis of reason and pragmatism--a breath of fresh air compared to the usual demagogic bickering that seems to be monopolizing American political discourse currently, and global warming in particular.
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Ron Steenblik Posted 11:43 am
22 May 2007
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