EPA revives California emissions rule - AP

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 · Last updated 2:34 a.m. PT
EPA revives California emissions rule

By SAMANTHA YOUNG
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Stung by a Supreme Court ruling that it has the authority
to establish vehicle emissions standards, the Environmental Protection Agency is
allowing California to proceed with efforts to set the nation's first standards to
cut tailpipe emissions from cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Since 2005, California has sought an exemption from the federal Clean Air Act that
would allow it to set the emissions standards in hopes of reducing greenhouse gases.

The EPA had blocked California's waiver request, arguing that the authority to set
fuel economy standards belonged only to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

But Monday's 5-4 Supreme Court ruling pushed the EPA to allow California to proceed
with its request and could affect an auto industry lawsuit seeking to block the
state's proposed regulations.

-snip-

Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Greenhouse_Gases_California.html