Thursday, July 02, 2009
After four years of battling unsuccessfully against the Bush administration, California officials finally won a significant victory on Tuesday with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama that has huge ramifications for efforts to stem global warming.
Since 2005, the California Air Resources Board has tried to impose the toughest fuel economy standards in the nation, only to be thwarted by the EPA when it was led by Bush appointees. But with the granting of a federal waiver by the new head of EPA, Lisa Jackson, California will now begin phasing in rules that will require cars and trucks sold in the state to average 35.5 miles per gallon (MPG) by 2016. With more cars burning less gasoline, experts expect a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide.
California Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger praised EPA’s decision, saying “After being asleep at the wheel ... the federal government has finally stepped up.”
Thirteen other states and the District of Columbia are expected to follow California’s lead and adopt the same MPG requirements. The Obama administration is also expected to impose federal rules that mirror California’s new standards
-Noel Brinkerhoff
EPA Approves California's Plan To Impose Strict Emissions Regulations (by H. Josef Hebert, Associated Press)
EPA to Let Calif. Set Own Auto Emissions Limits (by David A. Fahrenthold, Washington Post)
EPA Gives California Emissions Waiver (by Jim Tankersley, Los Angeles Times)
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