Bush Administration Protects Big Business from Greenhouse Gas Legislation for now

Automakers have been relieved from California’s new strict carbon dioxide limits.  The environmental Protection Agency has denied California their request to pass their new greenhouse gas legislation.  The state wanted the car industry to make cars with less CO2 emissions and follow stronger fuel-economy rules. 

The EPA states that “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.”  The plan is to aim high and have the whole country follow, not just a few states.

The President has recently signed a new bill increasing fuel economy to 35 mpg and raising the amount of renewable fuel to 36 billion gallons.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger intends to press the topic.  In April the US Supreme Court ruled that the EPA has the right to control global warming emissions.  Vermont’s second district and California’s 9^th district gave states the rights to enforce clean car rules.