California approves world's toughest global warming rule for cars

[phantom power]

Sept. 24, 2004 | LOS ANGELES -- California air regulators Friday unanimously approved the world's most stringent rules to reduce auto emissions that contribute to global warming -- a move that could affect car and truck buyers from coast to coast.

Under the regulations, the auto industry must cut exhaust from cars and light trucks by 25 percent and from larger trucks and sport utility vehicles by 18 percent. The industry will have until 2009 to begin introducing cleaner technology, and will have until 2016 to meet the new exhaust standards.

The move by the California Air Resources Board came despite vigorous opposition from auto industry officials, who argued that the board did not have the authority to adopt such sweeping regulations and that they could not be met by current technology.

The industry has threatened to challenge the regulations in court. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has expressed support for the proposals and has pledged to fight any such lawsuits.
http://www.salon.com/tech/wire/2004/09/24/greenhouse/index.html

[TexasSissy]

1. Leave it to CA to lead the nation.....again.

Way to go. (But I don't believe Arnie would support it....is that really true? I have my doubts about that.)

[mom cat]

4. He must be listening to Maria...or the focus groups. n/t

[Massacure]

10. Many California cities surrounded my mountains suffocate in smog.

No governor would dare let that happen without intervention.

[Dimsdale]

2. Global warming?

It's a theory based on junk science, isn't it? So says Chimpy and his admin., they who expect us to make it possible for them to further assault the environment for four more years.

[kwolf68]

6. Not quite

The latest from the Chimp-in-Chief was human activities were having an impact on climate change.

Flip Flopper

[Piperay]

3. Chimp's Supreme Court

will probably end up defeating it but I am still proud that my state takes global warming seriously.

[Blue_Tires]

5. i'd be interested in seeing

if the carmakers comply or complain...the state has set standards before that the industry hasn't even tried to meet in a reasonable number of years

[phantom power]

9. they've already promised to fight it, just like they fight

any legislation that has to do with fuel economy.

[T_i_B]

7. BBC article

I'm glad I post this here so I'm not duping. :-)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3688652.stm

Officials in California have announced tough new regulations to stem the emission of greenhouse gases from cars.
Vehicle emissions are seen as a major contributor to global warming.

Car manufacturers are threatening to challenge the move in the courts, arguing it could raise the cost of motor vehicles by up to $3,000.

California is thought to be the most polluted state in the US and experts say 60% of that pollution comes from motor vehicles.

[DeepModem Mom]

8. Also lead story in today's NYT -- significant action (nt)