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Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen


9.12.2007

 

It's a go on greenhouse gas standards

Results of the big auto manufacturer/greenhouse gas emissions lawsuit are in. It has to have environmental groups dancing in the streets and auto manufacturers grumbling in their offices.

For you folks at home, it could mean the average car gets something on the order of 43 mpg by 2016, or that the average car in some other way runs cleaner than it does today.

U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions ruled that there's no conflict between a state regulating greenhouse gas emissions in cars and the federal mileage standards. Which means states, such as Vermont and California, can have their own regulations.

Meeting those standards will be a challenge for automakers, Sessions said, but "the court remains unconvinced automakers cannot meet the challenges of Vermont and California’s GHG regulations.”

You can read the 240-page decision HERE.

The regulations would start in 2009, requiring a 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from cars and trucks by 2016.

Gov. Jim Douglas praised the ruling and the work of the state's lawyers in defending the standards:
“Most of Vermont’s greenhouse gases are emitted by automobiles and for us to make significantly reduce our carbon footprint the innovations that occur in states like Vermont are critical.”

“Setting high – but achievable – standards for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles is a tool every state must have the option of employing. Now, thanks to our victory, every state will.”

Don't be surprised if the auto manufacturers appeal this.

- Terri Hallenbeck

Comments:
Will the auto makers have to pay the state's legal bill in this case?
 
If the auto manufacturers appeal, the administration of Jim Douglas' friend George W. Bush will likely side with the auto companies in the appeals court. Think Gov. Scissorhands will have any luck influencing Bush on this one?
 
The decision may be right on the legal merits (federal pre-emption over state regulation), or it may be wrong. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and eventually the U.S. Supreme Court will tell us whether Judge Sessions' decision is right or wrong. But many people feel his decision was pretty predictable.
 
So will we now have a special police force at taxpayers expense to make sure no Vermonter is buying a car sold in New Hampshire or any other state? Talk about your tie-ups at the Canadian border! Of course, the leftist environmentalists, "smart" (NO) growth types, and in general the trust-fund liberals that run Vermont will be happy because THEY can afford whatever new vehicles will have to be altered for California and Vermont.
 
Bubba,
You obviously don't understand how the law works. Read up about it before you judge it.
-BBL
 
We already have "car" police. Try buying a car in NH and registering it here...and don't forget to bring your checkbook.
 
I really think Bill Sorrell is the WORST AG ever!
 
I really think that you are the WORST blog poster ever!
 
Bill Sorrell is a publicity hogging, politics-before-policy AG. Compare him to his predecessor Jeff Amestoy. Jeff did the people's law enforcement business WITHOUT thinking about getting his goofy-ass mug in the newspaper every day.
 
I hear that!
 
Unfortunately for Vermonters, this decision will be difficult. Many people use trucks or large cars for their jobs or for going to the mountain in the winter, and these cars will get much more expensive. However, I think this is a good step in the right direction. I personally drive a Toyota Prius, and it gets very good gas mileage. Whenever I drive it instead of a different car, I feel like I’m helping the environment. I hope that someday we will all feel that, and our environment will love us for it. Vermont is one of the most beautiful states in the country – let’s keep it that way, and keep our air fresh. This will be difficult for a while, but I think in the long run it will help. Other states will follow our lead. We will be the pioneers of the movement for better cars. And hey, it will save tons on gas!
 
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