Auto Emissions
Today’s been a busy day, but I cannot pass this one up. The automobile industry along with its various hangers on are going to court to try to cut down another state law that dictates the impact cars can have on our environment. Here is the story in the New York Times:Challenge to Emissions Rule Is Set to Start
The auto industry is desperately trying to cling to the notion that global warming is not a “fact”, and that states have no right to enforce standards. I will leave the global warming part alone since it is so obviously full of nonsense that we don’t need to dignify it with comment. It’s the state’s rights bit I find fascinating.
Typically the Republicans and industry groups [are they separate entities anymore?] like to get legislation away from the Federal level and push into states where the lobbying dollars have greater impact vis a vis the states more limited budgets. This tactic also has the advantage of taking an issue away from the national spotlight and putting at a lower level where deals are more easily made and the old adage about “dividing and conquering” can be brought to life with gusto.
So its fun to see those self same folks declare in favor of Federal legislation in the case of auto emissions. I won’t call it hypocritical, but I think you can guess where I would be headed with that one.
The problem the neandethals now face is that the Supreme Court just sided with the states and opened the door to state level carbon dioxide mandates. Vermont, as ever trying to live up to its justified green image, has agressively sought to enforce greenhouse gas laws. For instance: it, along with other Northeastern states, has sued some middle American states for dumping air pollution on it [the air current takes pollution from the Midwest and dumps it in New England!] Subsequently it followed California’s lead and took action against gas guzzling autos. So now the auto folks are in court trying to get Vermont’s laws changed.
I doubt whether the auto industry will win this one. The Supreme Court decision knocks a big hole in their argument. And then there’s the stupidity of it: the auto industry is actually arguing that by forcing it to sell more small cars Vermont’s law will increase the amount of driving people do because they will have to spend less and will get more enjoyment from driving farther on less gas.
Let that sink in.
Yes you heard it right: the auto industry says it’s a bad thing that you’d want to drive a lot of miles, have fun doing so, and be happy saving money on gas while you’re at it.
Am I the only one who finds that absurd? The logical extention of their argument is that we should ban all cars from being sold. That way we could easily stop all those miles being driven, we could stop people having fun driving, and we could absolutely put an end to happy faces at the gas pump. Just ban cars. A perfect defense argument for the auto industry.
Maybe I didn’t understand the finer points of their argument. I mean it makes no sense. The automakers of America cannot be that dumb … can they?
On second thoughts. Don’t answer that.
But do pay attention to the legal action up there in Burlington VT.
