The EPA airs it out

Posted at 12:01 PM on February 29, 2008 by Bob Collins (1 Comments)

Efforts to lower auto emissions in Minnesota probably have been weed whacked by the White House.

The Environmental Protection Agency did so by refusing to grant California a waiver that would've allowed it to enforce emissions rules that are tougher than the federal standards.

According to the Associated Press, EPA argues that California doesn't have the "compelling and extraordinary conditions" required for a waiver under the Clean Air Act, because the rest of the nation also suffers the effects of global warming. Today's 48-page decision can be found here.

A dozen states have similar laws pending and Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, wants to add Minnesota to the list. Her bill has advanced past one committee but may now be moot.

"A patchwork quilt of inconsistent and competing fuel economy programs at the state level would only have created confusion, inefficiency, and uncertainty for automakers and consumers," said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

Comments (1)

I doubt if it ends here, Bob. Minnesota has filed an amicus brief supporting California's efforts. There is more than a little evidence that the EPA acted against the recommendations of its own experts in this decision.

As for the MN legislation, some are wondering how CA standards can apply here -- they are based on a different fuel formulation than we use here.

Posted by Bob from ALAMN | February 29, 2008 12:53 PM

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories