California sticks green thumb in White House's eye
California is finally suing the federal government. That's only slightly less awesome than Nebraska State Sen. Ernie Chambers suing God to put a stop to "terroristic threats of grave harm to innumerable persons." (He later named former Husker coach Tom Osborne as the defendant.)
At issue are the state’s more stringent emissions standards. Back in 2002 Gov. Gray Davis signed a law designed to cut the state's emissions by a quarter by 2020. The one big kink in this plan? The federal Environmental Protection Agency has to sign a waiver allowing the Golden State to regulate itself. The EPA resisted, saying states don't have the authority to regulate greenhouse gases, but this April the Supreme Court nixed that argument. Nearly half a year later, though, the EPA still hasn’t issued a decision. Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope snipes, "[I]f the Bush administration isn’t going to take decisive action itself, the least they can do is step out of the way."
This suit has been a long time coming. ("Bring it on," the San Jose Mercury News cheered recently.) And if you think this is just another crazy California stunt, think again: According to the governor's office, 14 other states are slated to join the suit today. Just one more reason why the Golden State rocks.
"Nearly half a year later, though, the EPA still hasn’t issued a decision."
Out of curiosity, how long does it usually take the State of California's various environmental agencies to make a decision?
Posted by: Ken Shultz | November 09, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Way to go! I'm all for it. If California sets higher emissions standards than the rest of the country, automakers will be forced to limit available models for sale to the public or will require expensive modifications to existing models that will drive up the price to the point where the econo - box will be the only affordable choice. The sooner we kick out those nasty SUV's that run around killing people and warming the earth the better. I think everyone should be in a Prius or in public transportation unless you live in Malibu or La Canada, then of course your lifestyle merits a nice car to drive. Evoloution gave you two feet, get a clif bar and get to using them. At some point, California is going to come to it's senses and realize we really need to kick everyone out with a net worth of less than $5 million so that wealthy meatheads can sing songs to the president and worry so terribly about non-existent problems in the peace and serenity of their mbz.
Posted by: Keith | November 09, 2007 at 08:21 AM
This 'greenhouse gas' stuff is of course diversion from the main issue affecting California's environment, population growth. Which in turn, of course, is driven by immigration. That politicians are seeking to add an extra (or alternative) layer of regulation to businesses is simply a diversion from the real problem. That the Sierra Club is not willing to confront this issue is a sign of cowardice.
Posted by: Mitchell Young | November 09, 2007 at 07:50 AM