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State sues EPA on emissions
Governor, Brown press for federal waiver so California can start to limit greenhouse gases.
By Jim Downing - jdowning@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, November 9, 2007
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A3
State Attorney General Jerry Brown discusses suing the federal EPA during a news conference Thursday at the Capitol. Behind him is Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Brian Baer / bbaer@sacbee.com
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Attorney General Jerry Brown on Thursday morning announced that California is suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to force the agency to decide whether California can enforce a 2002 state law that would slash tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases from new cars starting next year.
California has the unique right to enact air-pollution standards that are more stringent than the federal government's. But before the state can enforce a new standard, it needs a waiver from the EPA.
California asked the agency in December 2005 for the waiver it needs to move ahead with the tailpipe emissions law. The EPA has yet to act on the request – though agency chief Stephen Johnson has promised a ruling by the end of the year.
The suit filed Thursday will pressure Johnson to act, said Schwarzenegger at a morning press conference on the Capitol's east steps.
"We are taking another step forward in battling global warming," he said. "We're not waiting for Washington."
The law, Assembly Bill 1493, calls for 30 percent cuts in climate-warming emissions from vehicles by 2016. Its impact extends beyond California's borders, because other states have adopted copycat laws. Fourteen other states are expected to join the state's suit, Schwarzenegger said.
Even if California prevails in its legal action, Johnson could decide to reject the request to enforce the emissions law. Schwarzenegger said such a ruling would prompt another suit.
"We're going to sue again and sue again and sue again until we get it."
About the writer:
- Call The Bee's Jim Downing, (916) 321-1065.
Schwarzenegger and Brown say California needs to know whether it can proceed with enforcing a law that seeks to reduce tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases. Brian Baer / bbaer@sacbee.com
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