States Adopt California's Greenhouse Gas Limits

The Golden State is by far the largest and most important automobile market in the U.S -- it accounts for about 10% of all vehicles sold nationally. The standards California adopts usually propagate to the rest of the country, I just was not expecting it to happen this fast:

... The confrontation over the California rules is one of the biggest air-quality fights in years. Environmentalists consider the regulations a landmark in their campaign against global warming. The conflict has brought together a number of players. State regulators have banded together and are closely monitoring developments in Washington. Environmental organizations have been building coalitions with health-focused and faith-based groups. Activists have initiated protest campaigns against Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co., two automakers that have heavily promoted themselves as being environment-friendly and are parties to the suit.

Vehicle emissions are the No. 2 -- and fastest-growing -- source of greenhouse gases, after power plants, a number of scientists and regulators say.

"For greenhouse gases, the federal government hasn't taken any action at all, and California has," said Andrew Ginsburg, Oregon's air quality administrator. "It's clear the federal government won't do it unless California paves the way and enough other states opt in."

Oregon's decision to adopt the California rules is temporary. Ginsburg said he expected permanent approval to come by summer.

... California, once again, is leading the charge. The state began regulating air quality in the 1960s. Since then, the state has steadily pushed ahead with tougher clean-car regulations, angering the auto industry along the way. In the 1960s and 1970s, California advocated adoption of the catalytic converter, a now-ubiquitous device bolted underneath vehicles that breaks down most toxins before they hit the air. In the 1990s, the state's regulations sparked engineering and technical innovations that led to the development of today's gas-electric hybrid cars.

We may have to start having California represent us in future climate change conventions .