West Coast embraces clean cars
The West Coast (or, the Left Coast) has decided to embrace new, stricter vehicle emission standards to reduce greenhouse gases:
Automakers have put up a stink every single time there's been a new regulation proposed to make cars cleaner or safer: from catalytic converters to air bags and even seat belts, there have been howls from Detroit every single time some new regulation is proposed.
As James Carville sarcastically pointed out in his book, We're Right, They're Wrong:
And it's spreading to other states:
But, of course, automakers are still fighting like dogs to get rid of the new rules:
And, in fact, the West Coast clean cars bloc almost didn't happen:
Despite an effort by auto industry lobbyists to kill the move, two Pacific Northwest States - Oregon and Washington - are getting ready to adopt California's new vehicle emission standards to reduce greenhouse gases.Hurray! This is splendid news. It means that the entire West Coast - a three state bloc - is taking action to curb emissions.
When that happens, California's newly implemented emissions standards - the toughest in the country - will be in effect along the entire West Coast from Canada to Mexico.
Automakers have put up a stink every single time there's been a new regulation proposed to make cars cleaner or safer: from catalytic converters to air bags and even seat belts, there have been howls from Detroit every single time some new regulation is proposed.
As James Carville sarcastically pointed out in his book, We're Right, They're Wrong:
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE: Here at the Major Motors plant in Smithville, Michigan, we know that someday one of these air bags just might save your life. That's why air bags are a standard safety feature in all our new models. Also, they're required. By a federal regulation. A regulation we fought like dogs to avert. But when we lost, we turned on a dime and immediately started featuring air bags in our commercials. Major Motors. We Roll With the Punches.The bottom line is that the industry is only going to take half-hearted steps to produce cleaner cars. Their efforts are not good enough. We've got to pass new laws that raise the bar when it comes to emissions standards.
And it's spreading to other states:
While the movement has gained little traction in the Midwest and the South to date, it's gotten a huge boost with the three West Coast states unifying around the tough new California standards.Sargent is absolutely right. Global warming is a big problem and it definitely needs to be addressed. And if the Bush administration won't do it (and we know they won't) then state goovernments must lead instead. Like California, Oregon, and Washington.
Sargent said other states, such as Pennsylvania, Illinois and North Carolina, also are starting to look at moving to the new California standards.
"Despite what the Bush folks say, more people are realizing that global warming is a problem that we need to begin to address," he said.
But, of course, automakers are still fighting like dogs to get rid of the new rules:
The auto industry is suing California over its new standards, saying the state lacks authority to implement such regulations and that the rules would eventually add $3,000 to the cost of a new car.Let them sue. While their lawsuit is pending, more and more states should send a message to automakers by following California's lead: we want cleaner cars.
And, in fact, the West Coast clean cars bloc almost didn't happen:
Washington state lawmakers voted to bring the strict California car-emissions standards to their state. However, as part of a compromise, lawmakers made their bill contingent on Oregon adopting the same standards. Both states' regulations would take full effect in 2016.But that language is history:
Seeing an opportunity to kill the regulations in both states, auto industry lobbyists persuaded Oregon legislators to insert language into a state environmental agency budget forbidding the state from spending money to adopt or enforce California-style emission rules.
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who has aligned himself with environmentalists in the past, says he will use his veto authority to delete that provision from the budget.So, hurrah! The entire Left Coast will send a message that greenhouse gas emissions need to be curbed. Clean air and clean water should be important priorities for us as a nation. And regionally, we're taking a strong step forward to insist that automakers manufacture cleaner cars.
That will clear the way for the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission to adopt the new tailpipe emission rules for Oregon by the end of the year, Kulongoski said.
The stiffer requirements would mean new cars sold in the state would have to emit 30 percent less carbon dioxide, 20 percent fewer toxic pollutants and up to 20 percent fewer smog-causing pollutants than the established federal standards.