Schwarzenegger: California will sue federal government

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

(CNN) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to sue the federal government over its decision not to allow a California plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he announced Thursday.

Environmental Protection Agency chief Stephen Johnson announced the decision Wednesday, refusing the state's request for a waiver that would have allowed it to cut emissions faster than a new federal plan the president signed into law Wednesday.

"It's another example of the administration's failure to treat global warming with the seriousness that it actually demands," the governor said at a news conference Thursday.

Bush on Thursday defended the decision of his EPA administrator.

"Is it more effective to let each state make a decision as to how to proceed in curbing greenhouse gases? Or is it more effective to have a national strategy?" he said.

Citing the new energy law -- which sets a fuel economy standard for the whole country -- Bush said Johnson "made a decision based upon the fact that we passed a piece of legislation that enables us to have a national strategy."

But Schwarzenegger said he would like to set a higher standard for California. "Anything less than aggressive action on the greatest environmental threat of all time is inexcusable," he said. Watch Schwarzenegger slam the Bush administration for denying California the waiver »

The new federal law will increase fuel efficiency standards by 40 percent by 2020, requiring automakers to bring their fleets to an average of 35 miles per gallon.

The California plan, however, would cut emissions by nearly 30 percent by 2016, raising fuel efficiency standards in the state to 43.7 miles per gallon for passenger cars and some SUVs and trucks, while larger vehicles would need to reach 26.9 mpg by that year.

In all, 16 states had either adopted California's tough standards or announced plans to do so.

A top aide to Schwarzenegger said the governor has been frustrated with the White House over emissions standards, and was very exasperated after a February meeting with Johnson.

EPA officials say they went the extra mile with Schwarzenegger, even taking the unusual step of holding a second hearing in California on emissions. They say they're sorry he's upset, but they believe a national standard on emissions is going to be more effective.

A White House official would only react to Schwarzenegger's frustration by saying the administration "looks forward to working with him on a variety of issues."

In the ebb-and-flow relationship between Schwarzenegger and Bush, sources close to the governor say this is a low point.

"It's never been a warm, throw-your-arms-around-the-shoulders kind of relationship," said former Schwarzenegger adviser Joel Fox. "Even during the re-election campaign for the president, he would come to California and the governor wouldn't always be there to greet him."

Fox said Schwarzenegger and Bush have cooperated on issues like immigration, but the two have differed on several issues, including stem cell research funding, the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program and climate change.

"He's got a pretty strong personality, the governor has, and wants to get things done. If the federal government is one of those obstacles, then he'll run that tank he has over it. It's not particularly anything personal, I think."

Schwarzenegger is much closer -- personally and politically -- to the president's father, former President George H.W. Bush, another aide said.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/20/cal...ions/index.html

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Arnold is one of many prominent Republicans who aren't burying their head in the sand over Global Warming.

[GaryC 7]

Arnold is one of many prominent Republicans who aren't burying their head in the sand over Global Warming.

Nah, he is just pandering to a state full of greenies.

[HAL 9000 96]

Arnold is one of many prominent Republicans who aren't burying their head in the sand over Global Warming.

Nah, he is just pandering to a state full of greenies.

Or following the democratic process by actually obeying his constituents.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Global warming aside - its not like Southern Cali has an air pollution problem or anything like that.

Those brown sunsets...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Arnold is one of many prominent Republicans who aren't burying their head in the sand over Global Warming.

Nah, he is just pandering to a state full of greenies.

Actually, there's a lot of political pressure on him in California NOT to do anything. The auto industry just had their lawsuit against the state of California struck down by a judge. Too bad you can't believe that someone like Arnold actually stands up for what he believes.

[Peikko 1,575]

Schwarzenegger, pander? Something wrong with that picture.

Not sure what I make of the guy, but I don't think it's a bad thing to want cars to be more efficient regardless of the reasons given to get there.

[HAL 9000 96]

Then again we can also convict him of hipocrisy for having a Hummer...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Then again we can also convict him of hipocrisy for having a Hummer...

I think he has more than one. Six or seven if I remember rightly.

[Peikko 1,575]

I thought some Hummers had good gas mileage, or is that some right wing propaganda?

I can't imagine why anyone would want to drive one of the ugly brutes, but it takes all sorts...

[GaryC 7]

Arnold is one of many prominent Republicans who aren't burying their head in the sand over Global Warming.

Nah, he is just pandering to a state full of greenies.

Actually, there's a lot of political pressure on him in California NOT to do anything. The auto industry just had their lawsuit against the state of California struck down by a judge. Too bad you can't believe that someone like Arnold actually stands up for what he believes.

The auto industry doesn't vote.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I thought some Hummers had good gas mileage, or is that some right wing propaganda?

I can't imagine why anyone would want to drive one of the ugly brutes, but it takes all sorts...

I seem to remember reading that they did somewhere between 7 and 12 MPG, but I could be wrong.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Arnold is one of many prominent Republicans who aren't burying their head in the sand over Global Warming.

Nah, he is just pandering to a state full of greenies.

Actually, there's a lot of political pressure on him in California NOT to do anything. The auto industry just had their lawsuit against the state of California struck down by a judge. Too bad you can't believe that someone like Arnold actually stands up for what he believes.

The auto industry doesn't vote.

Nor do the oil, pharmaceutical and arms manufacturing companies. They seem to have a lot of influence though...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Arnold is one of many prominent Republicans who aren't burying their head in the sand over Global Warming.

Nah, he is just pandering to a state full of greenies.

Actually, there's a lot of political pressure on him in California NOT to do anything. The auto industry just had their lawsuit against the state of California struck down by a judge. Too bad you can't believe that someone like Arnold actually stands up for what he believes.

The auto industry doesn't vote.

Of course....making all lobbyists politically impotent.

[Peikko 1,575]

Well, if you wanna drive a tank, lol.

Seriously, they are crazy beasts.

Regardless, fuel efficiency and less pollutant emissions should be number one priorities for CA.