EPA Rejects California’s Bid To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Vehicles

December 20, 2007

The Washington Post reported yesterday:

“Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson yesterday denied California’s petition to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, overruling the unanimous recommendation of the agency’s legal and technical staffs.”

Johnson attempted to justify the decision by saying:

“The Bush administration is moving forward with a clear national solution, not a confusing patchwork of state rules, to reduce America’s climate footprint from vehicles,” Johnson said. “President Bush and Congress have set the bar high, and, when fully implemented, our federal fuel-economy standard will achieve significant benefits by applying to all 50 states.”

He went on to say that he felt like the national policy was enough and better” than a patchwork of state policies.” Did someone tell Mr.Johnson he ha to choose, and could only implement ONE initiative to reduce emissions? Hi comments were narrow minded and have effectively slowed down the efforts of many to stop and/or reduce green house gas emissions.

Others in the EPA advised Johnson not to deny the proposal …at the veryleast because it would most certainly result in a lawsuit, but ultimately because the proposal is necessary for a comprehensive stance on reducing emissions. California, which is allowed under the Clean Air Act to set its own air pollution policies as long as it obtains an exemption from the federal government, had not been denied a waiver in the law’s 37-year history. Environmental advocates and state representatives have already set the wheels in motion to begin he process of suing the EPA.

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