Auto Industry Objects to Calif. Rules

California Attorney General Jerry Brown gestures while commenting on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that affects global warming at a news conference in San Francisco, Monday, April 2, 2007. The Supreme Court Monday ordered the federal government to take a fresh look at regulating carbon dioxide emissions from cars, a rebuke to Bush administration policy on global warming. In a 5-4 decision, the court said the Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from cars. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (Eric Risberg - AP)

California has special authority under the federal Clean Air Act to set its own vehicle emissions standards because it began regulating air pollution before the federal government did in the 1970s. Ten other states have adopted California's standards, and Maryland is considering doing so, but they have to wait to implement them until the EPA grants California a waiver.

"It's clear EPA has to consider California's waiver request now," said Sean Hecht, executive director of the environmental law center at the University of California, Los Angeles. "That doesn't mean it's a foregone conclusion with respect to the waiver request."

California's attempt to cut tailpipe emissions is a key component of the state's broader effort to reduce greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020. The auto regulations could help the state reach about 17 percent of its target, Air Resources Board spokeswoman Gennet Paauwe said.

The state also has sued the six largest automakers in an attempt to collect millions of dollars it expects to spend on repairing the damage from floods, wildfires and other natural disasters that are expected to intensify as temperatures rise.

California is the world's 12th largest producer of greenhouse gases.

The auto industry also has sued Vermont, which is seeking to implement California's tailpipe regulations. That trial is scheduled to begin next week.

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On the Net:

California Air Resources Board: http://www.arb.ca.gov

Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers: http://www.autoalliance.org

Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov