California and other states challenge U.S. on car emissions

Go Arnie!! In Australia we think we have some interesting "States' Rights" issues, but at least they are not usually beholden to big business.

Pertinent quotes :

"The EPA has done nothing at the national level to curb greenhouse gases and now it has wrongfully and illegally blocked California's landmark tailpipe emissions standards, despite the fact that 16 states have moved to adopt them," said Jerry Brown, California's attorney general.

"On December 19, the EPA rejected California's bid for a waiver from U.S. law that would allow it to impose emissions restrictions that are tougher than federal standards. California has for years been permitted to set its own targets on pollutants and has received EPA waivers in other cases. This is the first bid to limit carbon emissions from autos."

In rejecting the waiver, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson cited newly enacted federal standards to boost automobile fuel efficiency as robust and comprehensive.

So "robust and comprehensive", but nowhere near as effective as the proposed Californian ones.

AUTOMAKERS FEAR COSTS

The new U.S. energy law would require autos average 35 mpg by 2020, a 40 percent efficiency increase that could cut greenhouse gasses by 30 percent. The California law would boost mileage goals to more than 40 mpg by 2016.

Automakers lobbied the administration to reject the California proposal, arguing a mix of state and federal rules would be too complex. Industry mainly fears substantial cost increases associated with sharp efficiency improvements for vehicles.

This silly antipodean obviously can't read American, coz from reading the US EPA's published mission I can only see that it is to "P" the "E" (and human health)

"P the E"
where
"P" = "protect", and
"E" = "environment"

NOT

"P the A"
- where
"P" = "prop up", and
"A" = "auto industry"