21 December 2007
This morning I listened to Bush give a press address telling all the wonderful things that he achieved in 2007. He seemed very proud of the environmental bill, a bill which will require vehicles to achieve 35 miles per gallon, a standard that starts phasing in for new vehicles beginning in 2011, becoming fully implemented by 2020. California wants to set more stringent limits on planet-warming pollutants for cars, trucks and sports utility vehicles and requested a waiver from the EPA but EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson denied a waiver. Washington and 15 other states wanted to use the California standards. Local leaders and environmentalists were outraged by the EPA’s announcement. Lawsuits challenging the ruling may be be coming soon.
California’s rules would begin implementation with 2009 model year vehicles — which begin selling next year. By 2016, California’s law would require passenger cars and some small SUVs and trucks to reach 43.7 mpg. Most pickups, SUVs and larger vehicles would need to achieve 26.9 mpg by 2016. The regulations are stricter than federal rules for smog-forming pollutants and toxic releases. I get respiratory problems every time I visit family in California. It’s an area that really needs stronger rules and now, not by 2020. Instead, the states will have to abide by new emissions reductions included in energy legislation approved by Congress and signed into law Wednesday by President Bush. Bush’s rules are weaker and implemented more slowly than the California standards. Somehow I see the Bush administration working hand in glove with the auto industry and they have extended the date to achieve emissions reductions several times.
President Bush, you don’t deserve a pat on the back for your environmental bill!!!
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