Untitled DocumentWASHINGTON, D.C. — A Vermont federal judge ruled against car companies in a suit versus the state of Vermont regarding state-mandated auto emissions standards. Car manufacturers filed the suit after Vermont issued regulations requiring reductions in vehicle greenhouse gas emission.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also sided with Vermont in the suit. The federal court ruling favors state emission standards that are modeled after California air pollution laws.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation believes the court’s decision supports the right of states to require car manufacturers to reduce emissions from the vehicles they manufacture. A similar legal conflict in California is also under way. For Vermont and California laws to go into effect, the EPA must grant California a waiver to adopt more stringent standards than those of the federal government.
Along with the ruling, a joint letter was sent by 13 state governors to six leading car manufacturers asking them to cease opposition to state implementation of clean tailpipe standards. New Mexico Gov. William Blaine “Bill” Richardson believes that clean tailpipe standards could reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new vehicles approximately 30 percent. The letter was signed by the governors of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and Washington.
“The trend is certainly for states to model their clean car programs after the State of California,” says Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative. “The Automotive Service Association (ASA) continues to be concerned with states tying clean air and extended warranties as was done in California. Several of these same states have implemented or are now considering California’s model regulations as they move toward clean car policy. As California’s policies are adopted, there is little focus on the impact of these super warranties on independent repairers.”
To view the Vermont Court Decision and an excerpt from the letter sent by 13 state governors, visit ASA’s legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com. The links can be found under the “Super Warranties” tab in the left menu.
