Schwarzenegger takes on the EPA

Will Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger help pave the way toward better climate change legislation?

This Wednesday, California plans to file a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency in order gain permission to issue its own auto emission regulations. Under provisions of the Clean Air Act, the state asked for a waiver in 2005 which would order automobile manufacturers to reduce vehicles’ carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas pollution by 30 percent between 2009 and 2016.

California’s plea has many powerful critics. President Bush is opposed to compulsory emission limits. In addition, Automakers insist the federal government should exclusively be responsible for regulating emissions standards, in order to prevent a patchwork of state-by-state rules from ensuing.

According to California State Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, the intent of the suit is to gain the attention of the president and Capitol Hill. “The most prominent Republican governor suing the Bush administration sends a powerful message, which I hope will influence Congress [to pass global-warming legislation],” he said.

EPA spokeswoman Jennifer Wood said the agency is still reviewing the waiver request and expects a decision will be made by the end of the year.