EMISSION TEST CASE CONVENES IN VERMONT

With the earth's fate at stake, there is that Shakespearean "first kill all the lawyers" impulse, but this is the way rule-of-law democracy works.

Court test on whether U.S. states can mandate lower carbon dioxide emissions
David Gram, April 9, 2007 (AP via International Herald Tribune)

WHO
Vermont U.S. District Court, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers vs. environmental groups such as Conservation Law Foundation

WHAT
- A decision will clarify whether individual states may set vehicle emissions standards or whether the Environmental Protection Agency’s national standards supercede the state’s right.
- The environmental coalition will advocate a California standard, agreed to by 10 other states, requiring emissions at a level of fuel efficiency for automakers' fleets of 43 miles per gallon (100 km per 5.5 liters) by 2016. Testimony is expected to evaluate that goal technically and economically. The automakers reject the standard, the environmental groups say the standard is achievable and practical.

WHEN
The trial begins Tuesday, April 10, 2007.

WHERE
Montpelier, Vermont.

WHY
The U.S. Supreme Court decision last week determined that carbon dioxide emissions can be regulated. This case will determine who decides what the regulatory standards are. 50 different standards or one national standard?

QUOTES
- Melissa Hoffer, vice president of the Conservation Law Foundation: "Vermont is the first court in the nation to decide this issue, and that will potentially have enormous impact.."
- Charles Territo, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers: The case is "very important, because it's the first trial where the issue of whether or not states have the authority to set their own fuel economy standards will be decided."