Vermont Joins Emissions Lawsuit Against Bush Administration

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Untitled Document
Vermont Joins Emissions
Lawsuit Against Bush Administration

States Seek Authority
to Implement Auto Emission Standards

Montpelier, VT (11/8/07)
Vermont will join a California lawsuit that contends the EPA has unreasonably
stalled a decision that would force automakers to produce vehicles with cleaner
emissions, Governor Jim Douglas announced today.

The California lawsuit was
filed today in federal court in Washington to force the EPA to grant the state
a waiver under the Clean Air Act. That waiver is needed because Californias
standards are stricter than the federal regulations. California is still trying
to implement a 2002 state law that requires car makers to produce vehicles that
emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions by model year 2009.

Vermont and 13 other
states are ready to enforce their own tougher regulations on emissions
from cars, trucks and SUVs. Governor Douglas ordered his administration to adopt
the tougher emissions standards several years ago and the Vermont Legislature
codified them in state law last year. Vermont was the first state after California
to adopt the standards.

We stand with our
friends in California who recognize the significant role that vehicle emissions
play in climate change, said Gov. Jim Douglas. Vermonters are
proud of their leadership position as Americas greenest state. We know
these tougher standards will help reduce our carbon footprint even more.

According to the Governors
Commission on Climate Change, emissions from vehicles accounts for about 45
percent of Vermonts CO2 output. Among its recommendations, the Commission
is calling for implementing the California standards.

In September, U.S. District
Court Judge William K. Sessions III ruled against automakers in a case against
the state, saying that Vermont has right to set its own regulations on gases.

Agency of Natural Resources
Secretary George Crombie said reducing Vermonts CO2 output is integral
to Vermonts far-reaching recommendations and creation of the Agencys
new Center for Climate Change and Waste Reduction. We know how important
it is to reduce our greenhouse gases, Crombie said. Its
time for the EPA to grant the waiver and let Vermont lead the way.

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