Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


9

EPA Bucks Bush Policy, Lets Calif. Set Own CO2 Standard

Share

(Newser) – The Environmental Protection Agency today granted California the right to set its own strict emissions standards, an about-face from Bush-era policies, Reuters reports. In a sly rebuke to the previous administration, the EPA said the move rested on a “traditional legal interpretation of the Clean Air Act.” California first requested permission to go beyond federal standards in 2005; the waiver was denied in 2008.

“This decision puts the law and science first,” said EPA administrator Lisa Jackson. “After review of the scientific findings, and another comprehensive round of public engagement, I have decided this is the appropriate course under the law.” President Obama directed the agency to revisit the issue shortly after his inauguration, and the decision jibes with his plan to reduce emissions nationwide.

EPA administrator Lisa Jackson.
EPA administrator Lisa Jackson.   (AP Photo)
Former President George W. Bush.
Former President George W. Bush.   (AP Photo)
The Conoco Oil Refinery in Rodeo, Calif.
The Conoco Oil Refinery in Rodeo, Calif.   (AP Photo)
Traffic in Los Angeles.
Traffic in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
9 comments
VIEWING:
 
godawgs
Jun 30, 09 1:47 PM CDT
This is bad, now we have a failing auto industry that is going ot have to make state by state cars. This sets the precedent for other states to follow suit. I mean the big three were having enough problems selling cars now, but to possibly have a different model with different emission standards per state is not going to be easy for them. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
IN RESPONSE:
huismand
Jun 30, 09 2:32 PM CDT
I think this is a good thing. They won't make cars on a state by state basis. They will simply make ALL cars to meet the most strict standards. This means all cars will meet the California standards. This will be exactly what the companies need to regain a market, especially in the US.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
RobN
Jun 30, 09 4:07 PM CDT
And what if next year New York decides to enact a stricter standard, Iowa the year after that, and so on. How often is it reasonable to have a car company redesign? One federal standard took all the doubt out of the issue; this just muddies the waters.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Newser001
Jul 2, 09 12:34 AM CDT
News Flash - They already have been... The industry sued California to put a stop to their demanding standards and practices. In hind sight, they should have made the California standard the National standard.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Snarfeh
Jun 30, 09 1:55 PM CDT
Hey, I thought you tighty righty's championed states' rights! That's a crock and the Bush Administration proved that many times by going after states for various reasons, such as medical marijuana, the right to die, etc. Ya'll need to make up your mind and quit applying it on a case by case basis, as we Lefty's have always done, which makes more sense, of course. You're scaring me; when righty's make sense, the world will come to an end.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

View all 9 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

75 Stories

 Obama Lifts HIV+ Travel Ban 

President extends bill funding care for low-income HIV/AIDS patients

Oct 30, 09 1:25 PM CDT
(Newser) - HIV-positive individuals will no longer be banned from visiting or immigrating to the US, President Obama announced today. The president discussed the revocation of the ban, which has stood since 1987, at today's signing of an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS bill. That bill provides funding for HIV/AIDS testing... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Bush administration • travel • HIV • HIV/AIDS • US Congress • George W. Bush • Obama administration • HIV travel ban • President Obama • Ryan White

Charles Krauthammer

Time to Act Presidential on Afghanistan

After 'yearlong drift,' Obama can't keep passing buck to Bush

Oct 30, 09 11:40 AM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama loves to blame things on George W. Bush, and on Monday he did it again, referring to the “long years of drift in Afghanistan.” He must be trying to “explain away his own, well, yearlong drift on Afghanistan,” writes Charles Krauthammer . In March, Obama... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • Bush administration • Barack Obama • Iraq war • George W. Bush • Afghanistan war • Obama administration • President Obama • Charles Krauthammer • counterinsurgency

ANALYSIS

No Clear Way for US to Prosecute Gitmo Prisoners

Experts split on whether to use federal courts or military commissions

Oct 29, 09 11:11 PM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama is edging closer to his goal of closing the Guantanamo Bay prison: Congress has approved detainee trials on US soil and the National Defense Authorization Act, passed yesterday, attempts to repair the damaged legality of President Bush’s military-commissions system. But hurdles remain, with legal scholars split on... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Bush administration • terrorism • military tribunal • Guantanamo Bay • detainee • Human Rights Watch • Guantanamo prisoners • Obama administration • President Obama • National Defense Authorization Act

75 Stories


Politics  •  Science & Health  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Bush administration • California • Clean Air Act • vehicle emissions • Environmental Protection Agency • emissions standards • EPA • Obama administration • President Obama • Lisa Jackson

from our news partners