Congress To Probe Denial Of Emissions Law

Bush Stands Behind EPA On Denying California's Bid To Cut Vehicles' Emissions; Schwarzenegger Vows To Sue

(CBS/AP)  Congressional Democrats on Thursday announced an investigation of the Environmental Protection Agency's refusal to let California implement its tailpipe emissions law, the first step in what will likely be a fierce legal and political battle.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., sent a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson demanding "all documents relating to the California waiver request, other than those that are available on the public record."

Waxman told Johnson to have EPA staff preserve all records. The decision against California "appears to have ignored the evidence before the agency and the requirements of the Clean Air Act," Waxman wrote. He asked for all the relevant documents by Jan. 23.

Johnson on Wednesday denied his decision was political, saying it was based on legal analysis of the Clean Air Act. His refusal blocks California and at least 16 other states that wanted to adopt California's law slashing greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and trucks by a third.

President Bush stood by the decision of his EPA administrator.

"The question is how to have an effective strategy. Is it more effective to let each state make a decision as to how to proceed in curbing greenhouse gases or is it more effective to have a national strategy," Bush said at a news conference Thursday.

Johnson said California's emissions limits weren't needed because Congress just passed energy legislation raising fuel economy standards nationwide.

"The director in assessing this law and assessing what would be more effective for the country said we now have a national plan," said Bush. "It's one of the benefits of Congress passing this legislation."

Johnson's long-awaited announcement provoked applause from the auto industry, but an outcry of protest from environmentalists, congressional Democrats and officials in California and other affected states. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger immediately announced plans to fight EPA's decision.

"It is completely absurd to assert that California does not have a compelling need to fight global warming by curbing greenhouse gas emissions from cars," California Attorney General Jerry Brown said. "There is absolutely no legal justification for the Bush administration to deny this request - Gov. Schwarzenegger and I are preparing to sue at the earliest possible moment."

California's regulations would have required a 30-percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions in new cars and light trucks by 2016 - with the first cutbacks starting in 2009, reports CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes. The federal government regulations will require automakers to achieve an industry-wide standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

Under the Clean Air Act, the state needed a federal waiver to implement the rules, and other states could then adopt them too.

Johnson said a better approach was new energy legislation requiring automakers to achieve an industrywide average fuel efficiency for cars, SUVs and small trucks of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. He said California's law would have yielded a 33.8 mpg standard, but California Air Resources Board chair Mary Nichols disputed that, saying the California regulations would have resulted in a 36.8 miles per gallon average and would have taken effect sooner than the federal standards.

The auto regulations were to have been a major part of California's first-in-the-nation global warming law which aims to reduce greenhouse gases economy-wide by 25 percent - to 1990 levels - by 2020. The auto emission reductions would have accounted for about 17 percent of the state's proposed reductions.

Nichols said California expects to win on appeal and does not plan to shift its strategy on meeting greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Twelve other states - Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington - have adopted the California emissions standards, and the governors of Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Utah have said they also plan to adopt them. The rules were also under consideration in Iowa.

It was the first time EPA had completely denied California a Clean Air Act waiver request, after granting more than 50.

[neoconslayer]

Yo Hawksprings:
Maybe next time, you could post something relevant to the article...

[andor3]

"Meanwhile, in other news that CBS would never print:
400 Scientists Dispute Man-Made Global Warming Claims in 2007."

Strange--that statement has been repeatedly shown to be a distortion is ther opposite of the truth, yet you keep posting it.

It is almost like you have an agenda to intentionally mislead people and obscure the truth or real discussion.

But then why would you do that?

[bareemperor]

Automakers and petrolium giants have sweetly walked hand-in-hand for generations. This EPA ''inaction'' just backs the public opinion that there are nasty, behind-the-scenes buttpatting sessions going on in high government places...

[namesnames]

his post is relevant. not everyone agrees that global warming is caused by the human race. so the point of all this posturing and politicizing of the issue may be moot. remember when all the "experts" predicted the smoke from the Kuwait oil fires that Saddam set would have devastating effects around the globe?

[andor3]

"his post is relevant. not everyone agrees that global warming is caused by the human race."

His post is relevant because it shows the level of desperation, when you cannot back an opinion by anything except obfuscation. Human-caused climate change is accepted scientific theory based on the evidence and the consensus of researchers. There is no evidence to the contrary, despite many organizations who wish there was, and who are putting up big bucks to "support" friendly researchers.

[bookwerm314]

A regular family sedan today does 0-60MPH in about 8 Seconds. That is fast. Very fast. 20 years ago, a car getting about the same MPG did it in 12 seconds. So something changed. ALL the engine technology advances went into higher HP, NOT higher MPG. At least in the US in Europe, PLENTY of 40 MPG cars. Why do we need to go so fast? We don''t. But that is what the Auto companies WANT to sell.. not that it is what folks want to buy. There is plenty of data to show otherwise.. but since now you can''t even GET a Ford Festiva that gets 40+MPG, it pretty much is a self fulfilling prophecy.. The auto companies need to develop a version of engines that have HIGH TORQUE (you drive Torque, but automakers SELL HP!), HIGH EFFICIENCY, and durability. Guess what? They sell them in Europe.. A VW Polo gets 60MPG stock! not even a hybrid. We need more diesels here, AND we need the cost and tax structure ON diesel to reflect the fact that, even though we PAY more, it is MUCH cheaper, and easier, to make than GAS! So yes, This is a backdoor way to get better MPG . as to reduce CO2, you burn less gas.. no two ways about it.. but those whiny little autocompanies want to continue to be stupid, and will fight for the privilege.

[superdem]

Those Republicans - you gotta hate ''em. They LOVE a strong federal government and a unified national policy when it reduces the burden on their corporate constituency, in this case letting the auto industry off the hook. They LOVE a strong federal government to quash medical marijuana, or to deny marriage to gay people. But they decry a strong federal government and a unified national policy when it enforces policies they oppose, such as access to abortion or separation of church and state. Apparently Republicans trust State legislatures to assassinate extensions of human rights, but don''t trust them to take progressive actions against polluters - who contribute heavily to the Republican Party.

[ritecros1]

I just read the links off the article below and the "peer reviewed studies" dispute the "amount of increase" in temperature, not the fact that emissions are changing the climate!!! What are you trying to argue hawksprings, that humans are causing climate change??

Wow!! I feel so much better that the skeptics think the temperature will only increase 1.5 degrees Celsius versus the majority of scientists who think it will increase 2 to 5 Celsius.

[cyberus-2009]

If Cali wants to reduce emissions in Cali then let them increase their state gas tax and implement a sliding scale registration fee for vehicles, the higher your models emission rating the more you pay per year to drive it.

[bobgee_1999]

"remember when all the "experts" predicted the smoke from the Kuwait oil fires that Saddam set would have devastating effects around the globe?"

Nice try. But in the first place, the predictions were BEFORE Saddam lit the fires, and he lit far fewer than predicted. Secondly, who is to say that the fires DIDN''T have an effect? According to theory, they contributed to the overall.

And look, this really isn''t a debatble topic for most of us. Maybe it is for you Jeezo-Chrispies who believe in miracles, but for those of us who dwell in reality where physics are demonstrable, it isn''t. Same goes for evolution; neither wishful thinking nor opinion alters the facts.

And here''s a little news flash, for you denial nuts and iconoclasts: don''t get too excited when you read stories about UFO cover-ups, 911 conspiracies and faulty global warming science on your fringe "news" websites, ok? There''s a reason they''re fringe, and any dingbat can start a website.

[tastychoda]

There''s a name for those "scientists" that deny global warming, they''re called Biostitutes. And they''ll write anything for the highest bidder.

[robadob1]

Isn''t it ''W'' who is balking at joining the rest of the world in the fight against global warming by refusing to accept hard limits on greenhouse gas emissions? Isn''t ''W''s argument for this refusal to join in combating GHG emissions with the world, as one of volunteerism? Well, here he has several states WILLING to volunteer and expediate GHG emissions from their own geographical areas, yet there ''W'' is lying in bed with oil again. ''W''s *** must be fairly greased by oil ***** after this one. ''W''s arguments on this one, just doesn''t pass the smell test.

[lawyertom1]

The last gasp of a dying Shrub administration.

[questionnews]

''W''''s *** must be fairly greased by oil ***** after this one. ''''W''''s arguments on this one, just doesn''''t pass the smell test.

Posted by robadob1 at 06:20 PM : Dec 20, 2007


How you get that one past the CBS censors?
Watch: There was an American television situation comedy which initially aired on CBS from October 3, 1961 to June 1, 1966. The show was created by Carl Reiner and starred *** Van *** and Mary Tyler Moore. It was the "The *** Van *** Show" I don''t think they understand the concept of context.

[ghostcommand]

The right wing used to flount state''s rights but now with their Fascist/totalitarian mind set of trying to control everything--if it is not their idea or command then they will not accept what is even a good idea.California has always been a leader in controlling of CO2 and other harmful emissions. California will tell the Bush/Cheney Fascist Criminal Enterprise where to get off at and will go to the Supreme Court and they will rule the same. Get off Bush/Cheney!

[flagship-usa]

Flip-Flopping George did it again. I do remember GWB saying exactly the opposite thing when speaking about Gay rights: ...let the States decide! BS George, BS! You Flip-Flopping sling''er.

[micma-2009]

Looks like Republicans believe in States Rights only when it suits them. The party has been taken over by corporate criminals and religious fanatics. Very strange bedfellows.

[migtex]

POOR CALIFORNIA. NANNY STATE. CONTROL ON INDIVIDUALS. PEOPLE LEAVING IN DROVES. TAX, TAX AND SPEND, SPEND.
GOVERNOR, CERTAINLY NOT A REPUBLICAN, RATHER A SOCIALIST. IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE TO VOTE ON THIS. NO ONE IN BUSINESS WILL TRANSFER TO CALIF, MASS, NY... NANNY SOCIALISM STATES. SOCK IT TO THE TAXPAYERS. EMOTIONALISM OVER REALITY LIVES WELL IN THESE STATES. "FEEL GOOD POLICIES OVER GOOD BUSINESS" PROHIBITS GROWTH.

[migtex]

SILLY EMOTIONAL GLOBAL WARMING BELIEVERS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN SPEND TRILLIONS AND STILL NOT AFFECT THE SOLAR SYSTEM.
** BUT IT WOULD DESTROY THE ECONOMY, LOWER LIVING STANDARDS, HUGE JOB LOSS AS GOMPANIES CLOSE DOWN, CAUSE A RESESSION, ETC.
YOU GET: HIGHER TAXES ON EVERYTHING AND RECEIVE LESS, GIVING CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE TO GOVERNMENT WHILE YOU PAY THE TAB. GLOBAL WARMING WAS STARTED 10 YEARS AGO BY AGING COMMUNIST WHO SEEK TOTAL CONTROL OVER ALL PEOPLE, WHAT THEY CAN & CANNOT DO, WHAT YOU DRIVE, OR IF YOU CAN, HEATING & COOLING LIMITS, ETC.
WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO GIVE GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER THEIR LIFE??????? MUCH LESS, PAYING BUCKETS OF TAXES TO LOWER LIFE STYLE & CHOICES???
NUTS TO THIS GROUP.

[jimbo554]

Let me get this straight.... The Bush administration wants to PREVENT California from REDUCING tailpipe emmisions. Have they lost their minds??

[migtex]

NOTE: CONGRESS DEMOCRATS CALL FOR PROBE. THEY IS ALL THEY DO. POINT FINGERS, MAKE BACK ROOM DEALS, SLIP IN AMMENDAMENTS AT LAST MINUTE FOR THEIR BENEFIT. NEVER BENEFIT TAXPAYERS. SPEND MONEY ON EVERYTHING, THEN SNEAK IN HIGHER TAXES AND REGULATIONS. THERE IS A REASON WHY THEY RATING KEEP GOING LOWER. WORST CONGRESS IN HISTORY OF COUNTRY. EGO CENTERED JERKS.

[blazercoach1]

Putting aside my belief that consumers, not governments, should state what they want by their choices.....

This is more proof that Republican party and this administration in particular are not faithful to REPUBLICAN ideals! LET THE STATES DECIDE!! How can we as a party say "let abortion be decided by states" and then have our so-called leader say "let emissions laws not be decided by states but by the federal government".

Bush is no Republican, in terms of philosophy of government. He is as Democrat as the biggest tax-and-spender you could name. He is only Republican in terms of social issues....

[gkc99]

"micma, the Shrub isn''''t Republican. He''''s a RINO. Just like his supporters, just like the RINOs in Congress. "--Posted by FloydZepp


FZ you''re right, but Bushit is a fascist. No need to make up a new term. Fascist describes a form of government that suppresses liberty to benefit the wealthy industrial elite. Just as Hitler and the Nazis benefitted Krupp, IG Farben, Daimler Benz and the other corporate giants of the Reich, so the Darth Bushit administration is owned and operated by the wealthy industrial elite that wants to run the USA.

Darth Bushit admin = Fascist. Not conservative. Fascist. Too bad the Republican party has become the US Fascist party.

[stezzer]

migtex1234

Excellent post.

"Global warming" is a complex and unproven science based on assumptions.

There have been four major ice ages. I wonder why the earth warmed after the last one? Is it because woolly mammoths wouldn''t stop driving big cars and insisted on budget flights?

It''s a big con, and it''s used over here in the UK to hike taxes. Thank goodness America has more common sense than to swallow all this green rubbish.

[migtex]

LEFTEST BLAME EVERYTHING ON GEORGE. HE MUST HAVE HIDDEN POWERS. NOTE HOW THEY PUT HIS NAME TO EVERYTHING THEY DO NOT LIKE. EMOTIONAL OVER FACT IS THEIR MOTTO. INDEPENDENT READING & RESEARCH IS A NO NO FOR LEFTEST. THEY "FOLLOW" IN PACKS INSTEAD OF FINDING OUT FACTS. I.E. WHO RECEIVES MORE TAX DOLLARS THAN ANYONE ON OIL & GAS??? FEDERAL GOV''T..
DEMOCRATS HAVE NO PLANS (EXCEPT TO TAX YOU MORE) BUT WILL NOT ALLOW DRILLING OR UPDATE ON REFINERIES (WHO HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE THE 50"S. SO WHEN YOU OIL & GAS BILLS GO UP, AT LEAST, BLAME THE SOURCE, CONGRESS & DEMOCRATS.. LEAVE YOUR EMOTIONAL FINGER POINTING OUT OF POST. WASTE OF ENERGY & SHOWS YOUR LOCK STEP THINKING WHICH EQUALS NO THINKING.

[lorinkundert]

Read the 10th Amendment, that is the only argument needed for the Supreme Court.

[migtex]

FLOYDZEPP I CAN GUESS YOUR WANT HIGHER TAXES & MORE CONTROLS IN YOUR LIFE. MAYBE YOU COULD TAKE SOME TIME TO READ WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED IN BILLS. I AM AN INDEPENDENT, WHO VOTES FOR THE BEST BUSINESS MANAGER, SINCE THEY WILL BE CONTROLLING TAXPAYERS POCKETBOOK.
YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS JUST EMOTIONAL. BET YOU VOTE THAT WAY TOO.

[a8151947]

More wasting money. They can''t do anything that means something to the PEOPLE. They all need to get OUT

[jumkey]

Oh please. Bush isn''t a RINO - he''s a REPUBLICAN.

Conservative Republicans believe in:

*Low or no taxes for the rich
*High taxes for the lower and middle class
*corporate welfare
*Big Government control of your personal life
*Interventionist foreign policy

They DON''T believe in:

*the Bill of Rights
*free markets
*personal responsibility
*the rule of law

Republicans are authoritarian, anti-freedom and anti-American. George W. Bush is the perfect, ultimate Republican.

[a8151947]

You are all nuts.

[stezzer]

FloydZepp

Thanks, but no thanks. You need to try living over here for a while. Trust me, you''d soon change your mind.

We are now paying the equivalent of 2 dollars a litre (that''s litre not gallon) for petrol. Socialism at it''s very best.

Ordinary people can''t afford to drive anymore. Don''t be a mug and wake up before it''s too late.be a mug and wake up (before it''s too late).

[stezzer]

FloydZepp

Sorry bad typo''s but you get the picture.

[stezzer]

FloydZepp

Sorry bad typo''s but you get the picture.

[poopusbuttus]

They DON''''T believe in:

*the Bill of Rights
*free markets
*personal responsibility
*the rule of law

Republicans are authoritarian, anti-freedom and anti-American. George W. Bush is the perfect, ultimate Republican.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jumkey


HAHAHAHA....that''s just a HOOT!!! You''re an idiot DUMBKEY

[stezzer]

FloydZepp

We are also reverting back to windmills. Yeah, that''s right. America puts a man on the moon, we revert back to wind power.

Never mind they cost more to run than the electricity they generate. It''s good "green" publicity.

Just like the USSR the UK lives by propaganda these days.

Be glad you''re American, and enjoy your freedom.

[rowdytexan2]

Go Arnie!

Why should states have to wait 12 years to demand less emissions? Car makers put out new cars and new designs every year? Why not start NOW? This is not rocket science! It''s mechanics. It''s not like the manufacturers haven''t known of this need for years!

The feds have taken years to debate this. The states should take up the slack and get it done!

[buddhabman]

Hey Republicans what about "States Rights". Oh I forgot thats only for Comatose Ladies, fetuses and when it doesn''t hurt corporate profits.

[stezzer]

FloydZepp

Fair enough. Got to say I like your posts. Lots of English swearing ; )

Maybe we should swap places for a while :)

[poopusbuttus]

Oh look, poop is back spewing - well - poop. How''''s it going RINO?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by FloydZepp

Not too bad, dummy. You still here getting your a$$ kicked by real Republicans?

[spacengin]

I too was unhappy with the EPA decision. The majority of Americans apparently recognize there is a problem with global warming/climate change. If Americans perceive that this was a subversion tactic by the US oil and car companies with them applying pressure to the EPA, then Americans will find alternatives in the market place. US oil and car companies must strive to exceed the California goals because many people don''t want to wait - they want to do something themselves ASAP. The US oil companies must focus on green energy and move away from oil. The US car companies must focus on technologies that do not emit CO2. If they don''t do it, they will suffer the consequences. This Bush administration / EPA action reminds us why Republicans should be voted out of office. However, I must say that I did strongly agree with GWB that the energy bill should have more action on nuclear energy. Reprocessing spent nuclear fuel should be a priority. I find it difficult to image powering a city like New York City on solar and wind. Nuclear must be part of the solution. Thank you Arnold for your vision and action.

[stezzer]

FloydZep

Sorry, but I have to disagree. I''m an ordinary chap with two kids. I''m struggling to even keep my car on the road. And I need it to get to work. Massive petrol prices, road tax at 200 pounds per year, and the annual MOT charges.

They are taxing us to the hilt, all in the name of an unproven science. Don''t let the green nutters get their foot in the door. Seriously, you''ll regret it.

[baghdadshere]

Hey leftists Osama-lovers brainwashed_by_democrats_antiwar_propaganda_for_the_past_6_years, you better buy some sneakers and shoes cause if we withdraw from Iraq and Iran takes control of the Persian Gulf there wont be any oil to fuel your SUVs.

[stezzer]

FloydZep

Sorry, I think our posts keep clashing. Actually, it''s nice to chat with someone with a brain and a witty disposition.

I may not agree with you, but I like your style.

[baghdadshere]

"Al-qaeda leader invites media to ask questions."

Thats why FellFree1,j-whitman,Iceman1960,Hungry196
8 are not here. They went to the remote Pakistan-Afghan border to ask questions.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by BaghdadsHere at 07:53 PM : Dec 20, 2007

[stezzer]

FloydZepp

I also understand your position. Well, I suppose it''s time I went to bed. It''s nearly 1 in the morning over here.

It was nice talking to you. I hope you have a great Crimbo mate. And make sure you have a top New Year as well.

[poopusbuttus]

poop, you''''ve yet to explain to me how you and the Shrub you love are Republican. Lets see, $470 Bil deficit, doubled National Debt, trashed the Constitution, doesn''''t support States Rights. Go ahead and explain it to me. or are you going to disappear on me again? And by the way, we''''ve had "Republicans" in power for 12 of the last 13 years. So again, how do you blame this on the mean old liberals that make you poopus your buttus? You''''re such an easy doof to paddle.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by FloydZepp


I explained it to you yesterday, dumkopf.

[excoachken]

The Cowardly Cowboy shoots down another rational decision.

[nothappyatall]

"The federal government regulations will require automakers to achieve an industry-wide standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020."

LOL 2020 ?? at the rate of the changes and ice melting it certainly WILL be too little tto late. The issue is not how many mpg''s the stupid cars get, it''s how MANY are on the road!
In the 70''s cars got around 12 MPG- those big Plymouths, Cadillac Coup De Ville, Suburbans

[pensacola88]

There are not too many things about California that I find agreeable, but this dispute about the greenhouse gas reduction objective is an exception. I totally side with the forward thinking displayed by the California lawmakers. The President is clearly playing partisan politics and not demonstrating how to yield to the country''s needs. Being a good steward of our community and its resources requires thinkers to defy the traditional Republican partisans. It took 25 years for the EPA to finally acknowledge that too much ozone was not healthy and needed controlling. Take a trip to Mexico City and learn what unhealthy air contamination is all about.

[pepperp1]

Claif Attorney General Brown needs to file suit, they waited and it is time, they should do all to protect their rights against this lobby clown, remember what this Admins buddies did to your State already with their ENRON buddies to turn your state red.