Auto Industry Objects to Calif. (CO2) Rules

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2007/apr/04/040404714.html

The auto industry hopes a recent Supreme Court ruling will help it block California's plans to set the nation's first standards to cut tailpipe emissions from cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles.

The state has been seeking an exemption from the federal Clean Air Act since 2005 to set emissions standards in hopes of reducing greenhouse gases.

The Environmental Protection Agency had refused, arguing that the authority to set fuel economy standards belonged only to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Supreme Court, however, eliminated that argument on Monday, ruling that the EPA has the authority to establish vehicle emissions standards.

Raymond Ludwiszewski, an attorney representing the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, interpreted the ruling by as a directive that greenhouse gas regulations should be crafted at the federal level.

<more>