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Auto industry seeks to block tough California emissions rules |
| WASHINGTON (AFP) - The trade group representing most
major automakers has filed suit to block a California law that would force
manufacturers to make cars and trucks with lower greenhouse gas emissions.
In the suit filed Tuesday, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers sought an injunction to stop California from enacting a plan to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2016. The suit contends that California does not have the authority to enact the legislation because only the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has the power to set fuel economy standards, and carbon dioxide emissions are, in effect, synonymous with fuel economy. "This regulation is inconsistent with federal law, as well as fundamental principles for sound regulation of motor vehicles," the alliance said in a statement. The aim of the legislation was to curb tailpipe emissions that scientists say contribute to global warming, but the industry argued that even with the elimination of every vehicle in the state of California, "there would be no identifiable change in temperature or climate in the state." "The regulation would only reduce greenhouse gases by 1/10 of one percent globally," it said. "Californians would see no health benefits from this regulation. The regulation only addresses carbon dioxide, not smog. Unlike smog, carbon dioxide poses no health hazard." The trade group also argued that it would increase vehicle prices by 3,000 dollars and restrict consumer choice by forcing manufacturers to do away with vehicles with higher emissions, such as big SUVs. The lawsuit was filed in US district court in Fresno by 13 California car dealerships and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents nine automakers, including General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler AG, Toyota Motor Co., BMW AG and Volkswagen AG. |