Auto companies press states on California emissions

[cal04]

Reuters
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080127/us_nm/usautos_emissions_dc

Automakers and their allies have stepped up lobbying to convince states that a proposal by California to cut tailpipe emissions sharply to fight global warming could further depress the struggling U.S. industry.

There is concern among General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co, Chrysler LLC -- and supporters in Congress and at state level -- that the California initiative may survive court challenges and possibly be adopted by New York, Pennsylvania, and more than a dozen other states.

Adding pressure is a fresh U.S. Senate proposal that would force the administration of George W. Bush to let California enforce its plan, which has been in federal legal limbo since 2002.

Prospects of the bill becoming law are uncertain, though it illustrates that powerful lawmakers, including leading Democratic presidential candidates, want stronger environmental protection than industry is prepared to deliver.

[diane in sf]

1. Guess my next car will be Japanese unless the volt is truly great and available.