CALIFORNIA CAN CUT CAR EMISSIONS: COURT

As the judge pointed out in his decision, the California law mandating a 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles necessitates a “substantial” improvement in vehicle mileage. Automakers of course want to keep mileage standards in the hands of the Congress where their campaign contributions can temper any idealistic impulses to ask them for mileage in US cars similar to the cars in the rest of the world.

The California law would create much higher mileage standards much sooner than those established by the just-passed energy bill.

California must still obtain a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency to implement the law. Jerry Brown, California Attorney General: "This court ruling leaves the Bush administration as the last remaining roadblock to California's regulation of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions…"

Should be an interesting showdown.

US court backs California greenhouse gas limits
Jim Christie (with Gary Hill), December 12, 2007 (Reuters)

WHO
U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Ishii; Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic Attorney General Jerry Brown of California; Charles Territo, spokesman, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers; Roland Hwang, auto industry analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council;

click to enlarge

WHAT
Despite charges by auto makers that federal law should preempt state measures, the federal district court judge ruled California's landmark law requiring cuts in greenhouse gas emissions is not unconstitutional and may stand.

WHEN
- California’s law applies to 2009 cars, sport-utility vehicles, pick-up trucks and minivans.
- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in November that the auto industry must increase fuel efficiency standards for sport utility vehicles, pickups and other light trucks because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration failed in a 2006 regulation to account for the environmental impact of tailpipe emissions.

WHERE
- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is based in San Francisco.
- The current decision applies only to the California law but 15 other states have pending similar laws.

Quelling transportation-related emissions is vital in the fight against climate change. (click to enlarge)

WHY
- Environmental activists see the decision as a major breakthrough in the legal fight against climate change.
- Automakers have cloaked their resistance in legal arguments but essentially recognize the California law as a strike at the heart of their manufacturing standards and marketing practices.
- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling said the U.S. government must close the loophole permitting the “light truck” vehicle class lower fuel efficiency standards than cars.

QUOTES
- Territo, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers: "We're still reviewing the decision and a decision on whether or not to appeal hasn't been made yet…"
- Hwang, Natural Resources Defense Council: "The only thing standing in the way of California and 16 other states in implementing this clean-car law is a waiver from the EPA…"