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It makes sense that a state would want to set its own tailpipe emissions standard to reduce global warming. It also makes sense that they would want to pass a state law that would force automakers to reduce emissions by making cars achieve higher gas mileage. Right? That’s what 19 states, including California, want to do. Administrator Stephen Johnson, of the Environmental Protection Agency, disagrees and is clearly insane. “While I find that the conditions related to global climate change in California are substantial, they are not sufficiently different from conditions in the nation as a whole to justify separate state standards.” I’m sorry, what? Even if that were true, and it’s not, why not make a national law to do the same thing? Surely he can see that we’re a pretty disgusting nation that needs desperately to clean up its act.
“Johnson’s excuse that global warming is not unique to California is both factually and legally wrong,” said David Doniger, policy director for the National Resources Defense Council. Doniger said no other state can claim the same “severe impacts” from smog, wildfires, water supply problems, and agricultural losses. “The combination and severity of these impacts makes California’s conditions compelling and extraordinary,” he said.
But Johnson doesn’t care. Ah well, California is suing and no one thinks that they’ll lose. California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer said the EPA decision would not stand up in court but would result in “more delay in cleaning up our air and tackling the challenge of global warming.” Thanks a lot Johnson.
What about the automakers? Struggling U.S. auto manufacturers and overseas car companies have fought the California proposal, saying it would hurt their business, especially if adopted by other states. They say that trying to meet both federal efficiency standards and another, stricter standard adopted by states would add huge production costs and increases prices. Aww, suck it up. People are still going to buy cars.
