U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider its decision to deny California a waiver under the Clean Air Act, which would have enabled California and 17 other states to impose stricter-than-federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.
Decision to Deny California Waiver Unprecedented
Under President Bush, the EPA denied California’s request for the waiver in December 2007, shortly after a federal court upheld the California law and the state’s right to regulate greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. It was the first time the EPA had ever denied a request for a Clean Air Act waiver, a move that prompted California to sue the agency.
If the EPA decides to reverse the earlier decision and grant the waiver, it would set a strong precedent for allowing states to set their own policies to address global warming. In addition, the limits set by California and other states would have the effect of forcing automakers to manufacture cars that run cleaner and get better gas mileage, which critics claim would cost the U.S. auto industry billions of dollars it can’t afford.
Car companies had better start looking for a way to get the job done, however, because Obama also directed the Department of Transportation to act quickly to establish higher fuel-economy standards that would take effect in 2011, and he pledged by 2020 to require U.S. automakers to meet the 35-miles-per-gallon fuel-economy standard set forth in the 2007 energy bill.
"America will not be held hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and a warming planet," Obama said before signing the executive orders. "Now is the time to make tough choices."
Obama Takes Aim at Climate Change
The president also said he wants the United States to assume a leadership role in establishing an effective international climate change treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol.
Speaking of climate change, Obama said: "No single issue is as fundamental to our future as energy. The days of Washington dragging its heels are over. My administration will not deny facts. We will be guided by them."
California Celebrates Obama Decision
Obama’s order for the EPA to reconsider California’s request for a Clean Air Act waiver may have raised concerns in Detroit, but it was cause for celebration in the Sunshine State.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement praising Obama's decision and noting that "allowing California and other states to aggressively reduce their own harmful vehicle tailpipe emissions would be a historic win for clean air and for millions of Americans who want more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly cars."
And California Attorney General Jerry Brown, who filed the lawsuit asking the court to reverse the EPA decision about the waiver, said: "Today's dramatic announcement marks the first time that an American president has taken decisive action to deal with global warming."
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
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Comments
While I agree we should be conserving petroleum and buying smaller engined, lighter cars and using motorcycles more, these restrictions do not achieve their purpose and cause economic hardship at a time when that is particularly a problem.
This is an example of a GreenSheep Policy: an emotional reaction that bears no scientific support.
-Exhaust emission standards address only the completeness of fuel burning, not the total fuel used. Testing addresses only the ratio of CO to CO2, not the total amount of either.
-CAFE standards address the fuel used, but really only amount to a Soviet-style production requirement, very conter-productive to the “bottom line” of the auto industry, and largely responsible for the failure ofo The Big Three. Europe has already repealed their CAFE standard, seeing that it did not produce its desired effect and severely hurt their economic situation.
I applaud the initiative.; We have become disillusion to the facts of global warming. Unless some serious steps are taken, things will always be the same. Though some might say that the timing is obscure, i defer. Should the greed of those companies be allowed to floursih. This is the price of greed. The auto industry was not in favour of the employee. I believe it is about restructuring and unless the necessary pressure is applied, nothing will come to fruition. The auto industry will always be concerned with their interests. As some fail, others will succeed. Therefore, a massive skills training program has to be initiated. There can be no change without lose. As one entity diminishes, others rise. Thats the balance of change. It is not evading the problem, but finding solutions. It is not making excuses, but finding solutions. Everybody has to be willing to sacrifice and to open their minds to these dire times.
I empathize with the people within these industries!
Can we please use correct terminology? I feel that using the phrase “global warming” confuses too many uneducated or ignorant people. I like global climate destabalization.
It is interesting to note the Al Gore, in his recent testimony before Congress di’n't use the term “GW”, but “climate hange” instead. Pretty hard to convince people the world is warming when it has been cooling for 11 years.
Either way, he’s only looking for power, control and money.
Those that get confused by “GW” aren’t going to understand four cylinder words like “climate destabilization” either.