Federal judge gives California OK to limit cars' greenhouse gases

[LeftCoast]

Source: SF Chron

(12-12) 11:54 PST FRESNO -- (12-12) 11:15 PST FRESNO - California's groundbreaking law limiting auto emissions of gases that contribute to global warming passed its first court test today when a federal judge rejected car industry arguments that the measure conflicts with federal law.

U.S. District Judge Anthony Ishii ruled that the state can enforce the restrictions, starting with 2009 model vehicles, if the Bush administration's Environmental Protection Agency allows enforcement. The EPA has been considering California's request for a waiver of federal pollution standards since December 2005, and the state has filed suit over the delay. The agency has promised a decision by the end of the year.

At stake in the dispute is the ability of California and as many as 16 other states, which modeled their laws or regulations on California's 2002 statute, to limit emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that scientists say contribute to climate change.

President Bush opposes mandatory limits on greenhouse gas emissions and says the nation should address the problem through voluntary industry action and modest increases in fuel economy standards.

Read more: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/12/BA9QTSTAB.DTL&tsp=1

---

This is very good news!

:woohoo:

[kestrel91316]

1. YAY!!!! But they will appeal to the SC, and i think we know how THAT will turn out.

[pinto]

2. Yeah!

One legal test passed.

:thumbsup: