Automakers Lose Case Against Tougher Emissions Standards

A federal judge ruled against a coalition of automakers Wednesday in a landmark decision that could set a precedent for granting states the authority to combat global warming by setting stricter emissions standards than those established by federal law.

The lawsuit, filed by the Association of International Automakers, argued that stepped-up regulations would cause undue economic harm to the industry while not significantly reducing pollution. It also charged that sole authority to set fuel-efficiency standards and, indirectly, carbon-emission standards, rests with the federal government.

However U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III ruled against the automakers, saying that compliance is possible and that it would not "limit consumer choice, create economic hardship for the automobile industry, cause significant job loss or undermine safety."

"History suggests," he wrote, "that the ingenuity of the industry once put in gear responds admirably to most technological challenges."

An almost identical lawsuit against the state of California, which first initiated the stringent standards, was filed three years ago and is still pending. In 2002, California regulators ruled that emissions be reduced by 25 percent by 2012. They also mandated 18 percent cuts for larger trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Fourteen states have since adopted similar requirements. However, none of the state laws will take effect unless a waiver is granted by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has said it will make a decision on California's request by the end of the year.

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) has introduced legislation in Congress to require EPA to grant the waiver. Meanwhile, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown have vowed to sue the EPA if they deny the request.

The automakers involved in the suit are: Aston Martin, BMW, Daimler Chrysler, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Isuzu, Kia, Maserati, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen. In a statement posted on the group's website, President Dave McCurdy said they were considering an appeal.

Jim Tripp, General Counsel for Environmental Defense, an advocacy group that helped argue the Vermont case, expressed hopes today that the case will be closed. "The U.S. auto industry should stop litigating and start innovating," he said.

September 13, 2007 1:55 p.m. EST
Jessica Pupovac - AHN Writer
Montpelier, Vermont (AHN) –

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*DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Here we see the old federal government vs. state power debate again. Do you think that setting emissions standards should be a federal government decision or one made at the state level?

What do you think is more important: lowering emissions to protect our environment, or the possible economic blow to the auto industry (possibly making auto prices higher, forcing the auto industry to cut jobs and hurting the overall economy)?

Do you think that the auto industry can come up with environmental solutions if they are forced to do so?
*REMEMBER TO BE RESPECTFUL
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