Bush (hidden) fuel-economy rules called an 'assault' on states' standards

[Newsjock]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

When the Bush administration announced proposed regulations today to raise fuel economy standards for cars and trucks to 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015, even some environmentalists applauded. But then they read the fine print.

Tucked deep into a 417-page "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" was language by the Transportation Department stating that more stringent limits on tailpipe emissions embraced by California and 17 other states are "an obstacle to the accomplishment" of the new federal standards and are "expressly and impliedly preempted" by federal law.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown called it a "covert assault" on California's rules. Environmentalists said the language will be used by automakers in their legal challenges to two recent federal court rulings that sided with the states.

... California officials said there's a reason the industry opposes to its efforts: While the new federal standards would raise fuel economy to 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015, California's rules would require the U.S. vehicle fleet to get 36 miles per gallon by 2015.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/22/MN3J10A11O.DTL

[orleans]

1. and what's really amazing to me is that 31 and 36 are the best they

all can do?

we are so fucked.

[Hannah Bell]

2. It's not the best they can do, that's the thing.

http://www.wisegeek.com/which-are-the-most-fuel-efficient-cars.htm

Europe makes way more fuel-efficient cars, & the US makers produce more fuel-efficient versions of their cars for the European market.

What's wrong with this picture?

We're in an oil crisis, right? Or are we?

[orleans]

3. exactly. n/t

[crikkett]

6. I'll be damned - "US makers produce more fuel-effiecient versions for Europe"

I feel smarter to be a pedestrian every day.

[and-justice-for-all]

5. It is fuckin' criminal...nt

[Supersedeas]

9. yep

[Norrin Radd]

4. Says the [failed] oilman. Straight from the wooden horse's arse.

[Supersedeas]

10. blood on his hands

[liberal N proud]

7. You have to know that anytime the bu$h regime proposes something

There is something in it for the cronies.

ALWAYS!

[donkeyotay]

8. GOP obstructionism is going to destroy us, environmentally and financially.

And dimson was out blaming oil prices on not drilling ANWR. Is there anyway Dems can get the WH and Congress and not be beholden to the same set of crooks? Maybe we could finally make some progress instead of more bull about the solutions being 5 to 10 years out. My 1996 Saturn gets 38 mpg. It was made just as the electric care was being killed, so there was a lag and GM made a very light car, but these goals are pathetic. There's a market out there for car makers with more courage. I read Volkswagen is making a TDI Golf that is a plug-in hybrid. I can't see buying anything less efficient just because the GOP is fossilized.