AUTOMAKERS SUE STATE FIRMS CONTEND ONLY FEDS CAN SET MILEAGE STANDARDS.Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer Nine automakers sued Tuesday to block California's new global warming global warming, the gradual increase of the temperature of the earth's lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution. vehicle pollution limits, claiming the state overstepped its bounds and could force consumers to pay thousands more for new cars. Adopted in September, the standards aim to cut carbon dioxide carbon dioxide, chemical compound, CO2, a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is about one and one-half times as dense as air under ordinary conditions of temperature and pressure. and other tailpipe tail·pipe n. The pipe through which exhaust gases from an engine are discharged. Also called exhaust pipe. tailpipe Noun a pipe from which exhaust gases are discharged, esp. emissions by 30 percent by 2016. New cars would need to get at least 44 miles to a gallon and light trucks 27 miles a gallon. The regulations were required under a 2002 greenhouse gas greenhouse gas n. Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. greenhouse gas bill by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley Fran Pavley is a Democratic politician and previously served as a California Assemblywoman and as the first mayor of the Southern California community of Agoura Hills. She served as a Mayor and Councilmember for four terms. , D-Woodland Hills, and signed by then-governor Gray Davis. The lawsuit filed by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in U.S. District Court in Fresno on Tuesday argues that by regulating carbon dioxide - which is formed by by burning gasoline - the state is essentially setting fuel economy standards. Only the federal government can set fuel economy standards. ``Federal law is designed to ensure a consistent fuel economy across the country,'' Alliance CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and President Fred Webber said. ``There's a better way to improve fuel economy than this regulation, such as providing consumer tax incentives for the purchase of our new advanced-technology vehicles.'' The Alliance also argued that Californians would pay an average of $3,000 more for a new car and there would be fewer vehicle models to choose from. While environmentalists accused carmakers of ``crying wolf'' over excessive price increases, air regulators said the tailpipe emission limits would greatly benefit Californians by also cutting smog and soot. ``We had hoped that we would be able to work with the auto companies and find a way to avoid litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. . These lawsuits often end up hurting public health by slowing regulation that could have a beneficial effect on air pollution,'' said Jerry Martin, spokesman for the Air Resources Board. California Controller Steve Westly said California's public employees and teachers pension funds have nearly a billion dollars invested in auto companies and fund managers will question how much the lawsuit will cost shareholders. ``It's better to invest in clean technologies than fight the inevitable in court,'' Westly said. The Alliance includes BMW BMW in full Bayerische Motoren Werke AG German automaker. Founded as an aircraft engine manufacturer in 1916, the company assumed the name Bayerische Motoren Werke and became known for its high-speed motorcycles in the 1920s. , DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. Kerry Cavanaugh, (818) 713-3746 kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com |
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