California legislature OKs greenhouse gas emissions bill
Date: 03-Jul-02
Country: USA
Author: Alex Gronke
The Assembly voted 41 to 30 for the measure, which opponents such as the automobile industry have criticized as an expensive and unfair driving tax intended to drive a wedge between Californians and their SUVs, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
The bill was earlier approved by the state Senate and now moves to the desk of Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat up for reelection who has not yet taken a position on the measure.
"I was pleased to have a hand in passage of this landmark legislation that takes a small step toward controlling global warming," Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson, a Democrat, said in a statement. "It is a good measure that will help protect California's environment and, indeed, the entire world."
The legislation would require the state's Air Resources Board to adopt regulations that would achieve "the maximum feasible reduction" in emissions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, emitted by cars and light-duty trucks, the category that includes SUVs, or Sports Utility Vehicles.
The regulations, which should be completed by 2005, would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2006. The amended version of the bill also gives automakers until 2009 to come up with technological changes or modifications to comply with the new standards.
A 'WAR' ON DRIVERS
But some Republicans - whose criticisms have been echoed by auto industry lobbyists - slammed the bill, saying the new measure would impose an unfair tax on drivers because the upgrades would make some vehicles more expensive.
"This is a war on drivers," Republican Assembly member Tony Strickland said. "How are you going to get a job if you can't have a car in California?"
Some 47 percent of passenger vehicles sold in the nation's most populous state are SUVs, minivans or light trucks, a percentage that has tripled over the last 30 years.
Industry groups have also attacked the bill as an "end-run" around federal fuel efficiency standards, which were left unchanged in March, despite lobbying from environmental groups.
Because California's Air Resources Board was established before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was formed under the Clean Air Act of 1970, California is unique in its ability to impose air quality standards independent of federal regulation.
But the bill's supporters made clear the final version of the measure does not grant the air resources board any legal authority to raise taxes or fees on gasoline.
It also prohibits the board from changing speed limits or banning any class of vehicle and specifically protects SUVs and light-duty trucks.
Environmental groups also hailed the bill, calling it the first of its kind and saying it would pave the way for other U.S. states to fight global warming.
"This bill demonstrates that we can take actions to fight global warming," said David Hawkins, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Climate Center. "This is part of a new era in designing cars that are going to be more climate friendly."