why haven't we seceded yet?? time fer california to say bye bye to the US

October 10, 2002

Breaking with the federal government's long history of supporting

California's clean-air efforts, the Bush administration is saying the

Golden State went too far by revising its zero-emission-vehicle rule

last year. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed by the Justice

Department, the White House sided with DaimlerChrysler and General

Motors, which have taken California to court over the law. A

Department of Transportation spokesperson called the

zero-emission-vehicle legislation an " impermissible intrusion " into

federal jurisdiction. California is the only state allowed to set

its own air-quality standards and has the nation's most rigorous

air-pollution laws. The White House is objecting to the inclusion of

hybrid-engine vehicles in the zero-emissions law because the

air-quality standards for hybrids are defined in terms of fuel

economy, which is the sole province of the feds. David Doniger,

policy director for the Natural Resources Defense Council's Climate

Center, says the Bush administration's message is clear: " Given the

choice between clean air in California and car makers, they choose

car makers. "

straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, Elizabeth Shogren, 10 Oct 2002

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