A landmark bill that would make California the first state in
the nation to regulate vehicle greenhouse gas emissions may run out of gas this
week as a number of lawmakers drop support for the measure, officials said
Tuesday.
The bill, which would set new emissions standards that auto industry
representatives say could drive sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, and
minivans off the road, is expected to go to the state Assembly for a final vote
Thursday — its last stop before heading to Gov. Gray Davis, who has not taken a
position on it.
But the bill, which is being closely watched across the country because of its
potential impact on mileage standards, auto costs, and greenhouse gas emissions,
has already run into trouble from critics who say it is overbroad and could send
prices for SUVs and pick-up trucks soaring. "It is tough. We are fighting for
votes," said Bonnie Holmes-Gen, a lobbyist with the American Lung Association,
which has joined environmental groups, city governments, and senior Democratic
politicians in backing the bill. "We probably have a list of six or eight
(legislators) that we are really targeting and hoping to keep their support."
The assembly approved the initial measure by a vote of 42 to 24 in January, one
vote more than the majority needed to pass the bill. But that majority looked in
doubt Tuesday as at least two Democratic lawmakers indicated they could no
longer support the measure.
One of those legislators, Assemblyman John Dutra, said he felt he could not
support the bill because it would give too much power to California's Air
Resources Board. "I am opposed to the bill unless it is amended," Dutra said
Tuesday, saying any eventual decision on new California emissions standards
should be left to the legislature. "There is a lot of debate over the possible
economic effects of this ... and you can't have a few appointed officials making
a decision that could have repercussions throughout the whole stare of
California."
The proposal has been sharply attacked by some Republicans as well as auto
industry lobbyists, who have called it a "driving tax" intended to drive a wedge
between Californians and their beloved SUVs, a big source of greenhouse gas
emissions blamed for global warming. Some 47 percent of passenger vehicles sold
in the nation's most populous state are SUVs, minivans, or light trucks, a
percentage that has tripled over the last 30 years.
"This is absolutely an attack on the family SUV," said Eron Shosteck, a
spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "The only way to reduce
emissions is to combust less fuel, and the only way to do that is to drive less,
or to drive a vehicle that is smaller, lighter, and less powerful."
CALIFORNIA UNIQUE IN SETTING AIR-QUALITY STANDARDS
Industry groups have also attacked the bill as representing an "end-run" around
federal fuel efficiency standards, which were left unchanged in March despite
lobbying from environmental groups. Because California's Air Resources Board was
established before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was formed under the
Clean Air Act of 1970, California is unique in its ability to impose air quality
standards independent of federal regulation. "Our position is is that this is a
backdoor attempt to undermine a federal law on fuel economy," said Shosteck of
the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
The California bill would require the state's Air Resources Board to adopt
regulations that would achieve "the maximum feasible reduction" in emissions of
greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), emitted by cars and light-duty
trucks, the category that includes SUVs. The regulations, which should be
completed by 2005, would not take effect until at least Jan. 1, 2006. An amended
version of the bill would give automakers until 2009 to come up with
technological changes or modifications to comply with the new standards.
Supporters of the bill say they would continue to lobby for votes in hopes of
obtaining final approval on Thursday. And they noted that if support does not
materialize the bill could be held pending further discussion. "This is not just
one vote," said Holmes-Gen of the American Lung Association. "This is a
decade-long campaign to get cleaner and more efficient vehicles."