Rik's Ramblings

Friday, December 21, 2007

E.P.A. Says 17 States Can’t Set Emission Rules

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday denied California and 16 other states the right to set their own standards for carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles.

By JOHN M. BRODER and FELICITY BARRINGER



So, the California law (which would require a shocking 36 miles/gallon by 2016) was vetoed 'cos it was pointless, because the Federal law will require 35 miles/gallon by 2020. Right! Of course, who knows whether that federal law will still be in place by 2020. Detroit has 12 years of bribery before they are in danger of violating that law, then no doubt they'll pay a few fines, get some extensions and still be under 30/gallon for 10 years after that.

But what it really means, of course, is that US car makers will make zero effort to improve efficiency because they (and Exxon) have Washington in their back pocket. Meanwhile, the rest of the world's auto manufacturers will work hard to meet the higher standards set by other developed countries, goals that consumers actually are asking for and they'll expand their control of the US auto market.

So, great job detroit. Carry on making yourself less relevant, continue to make your products less appealing, it's just a pity you're destroying the livelihood of your US labor force in the process. How do you expect them to pay for that asthma medication (that their children are going to need for the rest of their lives) when you put yourself out of business within the next 5 years?

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