Bush Backs Pollution, or Fun With Not Breathing

-zootsuit: October 10, 2002

So according to the Associated Press, the Shrub Administration has now shot down California's zero emission mandate, due to go into effect in 2003 (and which California voters approved), that would have gradually phased out passenger vehicles that emit pollution. Meaning that California, a state that consistently has one of the worst air pollution rates in the country, would have begun to move to a reliance on electric cars. This law did not even require radical or sudden changes. Rather, it simply said that for automobiles bearing model years ranging from 2003 through 2008, a mere 10 percent of these passenger cars and light-duty trucks must emit no pollution.

But thanks to Bush and his corporate kickbacks to big industry, General Motors Corp., DaimlerChrysler Corp. and several California auto dealers won a preliminary injunction that delays implementation for at least two years.

To quote the AP report, "Federal law overrides any state effort to regulate fuel economy for cars and trucks," the Justice Department said.

In a 37-page filing with a federal appeals court in San Francisco, department lawyers argued that California's zero emission mandate impinges on what is solely a federal responsibility.

"The Energy Policy and Conservation Act provides that when a federal fuel economy standard is in effect, a state or a political subdivision of a state may not adopt or enforce a law or regulation related to fuel economy standards," the department argued.

In its court papers, the state of California says there is an exception to the federal Clean Air Act permitting the state to regulate auto emissions.

But the Justice Department filing maintained that Congress has never authorized California or any other state to enact regulations related to fuel economy standards.

The automakers have various technologies to meet the new standards, so this new regulation on EMISSIONS should not have been any major stress on them financially.

However, the Republican appointed federal court judge who granted the injunction found that "these standards are impractical."

No.... not breathing, THAT'S impractical.