Californian governor likely to sign auto emissions bill
Date: 05-Jul-02
Country: USA
Author: Alex Gronke
Steve Maviglio, the Democratic governor's spokesman, also said Davis was getting intense pressure both from environmental groups who support the bill and foes such as the auto industry who argue the measure is an unfair driving tax that will run SUVs off the road in the nation's most populous state.
"If the bill is close to the form it was originally in, he'd be likely to sign it," Maviglio told Reuters. "But he wants to read the fine print."
Davis' decision on the bill that would impose tough new restrictions on emissions from millions of cars and light-duty trucks including sport utility vehicles or SUVs, comes as the governor runs for reelection.
Signing the measure would help beef up the governor's environmental credentials after his gubernatorial Republican foe Bill Simon moved to take the initiative on green issues by recently saying he would do more to prevent construction of offshore oil rigs - a hot-button item in California.
But opponents of the bill such as the auto industry have heaped pressure on Davis not to sign the measure they say would make some vehicles more expensive in the state and would also drive a wedge between Californians and their SUVS, a major source of greenhouse gases.
"If it is enacted it is likely Californians will be unable to drive the same vehicles as offered for sale in bordering states," said Charles Territo, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, an organization representing many of the world's leading automakers. "Some of the best-selling models would effectively be banned in California."
'BOGUS ISSUES' ADDRESSED
Some 47 percent of passenger vehicles sold in California are SUVs, minivans or light trucks, a percentage that has tripled over the last 30 years.
While the governor said he is studying the bill, a spokeswoman for the proposal's author said she was optimistic the governor would sign the measure into law because the amended version is virtually the same as the original draft.
"All we have done is clarify existing law and address the bogus issues the opposition was raising, " said Anne Baker, a policy consultant to the bill's author, Assembly member Fran Pavley.
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.
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.
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 environmental supporters say the final version of the measure attempted to assuage many critics' concerns because it does not grant the air resources board any legal authority to raise taxes or fees on gasoline, for example.
It also prohibits the board from changing speed limits or banning any class of vehicle and specifically protects SUVs and light-duty trucks.