By Associated Press, April 4, 2007
SACRAMENTO — The Bush administration has reopened California’s stalled petition seeking to control greenhouse gases after the Supreme Court’s ruling this week that the government can regulate emissions from cars.
The action by the Environmental Protection Agency breathes life into California’s effort to become the first state to cut tailpipe emissions from cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles. It also could influence the outcome of an auto industry lawsuit in California to block the state regulations, contained in a 2002 state law.
“We’ve reviewed the issues within the waiver request,” EPA spokeswoman Jennifer Wood said Tuesday. “We’re moving forward to the next steps of the process.”
The agency next will schedule a public comment period and public hearing.
At stake is California’s 2005 petition to gain an exemption from the federal Clean Air Act. The state wants automakers to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks by 25 percent and from sport utility vehicles by 18 percent starting in 2009. Ten other states have since adopted California’s standard, while Maryland is considering a bill that would enact it.
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