BREAKING NEWS!

Federal Judge Rules: State can regulate greenhouse gases from cars

By Dale Kasler and Jim Downing – Sacramento Bee
Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 11 AM

California won a major legal battle Wednesday in its fight to implement a global-warming law that would lead to steep increases in motor vehicle fuel economy.

A federal judge in Fresno tossed out a lawsuit filed by the world’s major automakers that tried to overturn AB 1493, a law that requires a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2016.

The automakers had said the law was unconstitutional because it mandated a big jump in mileage standards – a matter that is under the authority of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They further argued that the California standards would raise vehicle prices by as much as $6,000 per vhicle, leading to fewer sales and tens of thousands of auto-plant layoffs.

But U.S. District Judge Anthony Ishii rejected those claims, ruling that the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and arresting climate change must go forward.

The judge’s decision doesn’t mean the law automatically takes effect. California still needs a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement AB 1493.

http://www.sacbee.com/749/story/562573.html