On Wednesday President Bush signed an energy bill that increased fuel efficiency standards for automobiles, with the apparent blessings of the auto industry. The very next day the President’s Environmental Protection Agency denied states the right to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. Coincidence? No, politics. As the New York Times points out:

“Industry analysts and environmental groups said the E.P.A. decision had the appearance of a reward to the industry, in return for dropping its opposition to the energy legislation. Auto industry leaders issued statements supporting the new energy law, which gives them more time to improve fuel economy than California would have.”

The energy bill included standards that will raise fuel efficiency of new cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.  The California ‘Pavley’ law would require a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2016.  While it is true that increasing fuel efficiency means less carbon dioxide emitted per mile driven, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Let's be clear: the California standard is stronger and more effective than the 35-mile-per-gallon floor established in the new energy law.”

Under the Clean Air Act, California has the ability to set its own air regulations at a higher standard than federal law, and other states can opt to adopt California’s stronger standards. But first California must get a waiver from the EPA, and this is what they just denied. The NRDC again:

“This rejection represents bald-faced political interference with California’s decades-long authority to enforce its own clean air rules.”

Not only that, but it is a blatant disregard for the seriousness of the climate crisis we are facing.  Bush claims that his rather moderate increase in fuel economy which gives the auto industry 13 years to get there is an adequate step to address global warming. I don’t think so. My hybrid car gets 42 miles per gallon today. 

16 states have adopted California’s Pavley greenhouse gas standards but implementation has been tied up in court from auto industry lawsuits. Earlier this year two federal courts ruled against the auto industry, and the US Supreme Court ruled that the EPA has the authority and obligation to regulate carbon dioxide as an air pollutant.  States and environmental groups are lining up to sue the EPA over their denial of California’s waiver.  

NC has the opportunity to adopt the Pavley standards too – in fact a state advisory panel to the legislature has recommended we do – and join the fight to do the right thing.  We need to move beyond politics, beyond big money calling the shots, give the power to the people, and get serious about global warming.