Supreme Court Ruling Has Immediate Repercussions

The (proverbial) ink is hardly dry on Monday's Supreme Court ruling on regulation of auto emissions of carbon dioxide. And yet the ruling has had an immediate impact on the court system.

In California, EPA finally said "ok" to a 2005 request to set tailpipe emissions standards. California has a state goal to reduce greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the year 2020. The state is the 12th largest producer of greenhouse gases, according to AP.

And in Vermont, U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions III moved to let a trial on draft rules move forward, despite efforts of auto makers to have the case dismissed.

Automakers insist that the only way they can reduce CO2 emissions is by making the cars more fuel efficient ... and that fuel efficiency standards (see CAFE background) aren't EPA's purview, but DOT's. The Court ruled otherwise.

Also, see

• CO2: Scientists Raise Alarm, Business Group Counters With Ads
• Fuel Economy Standards for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
• U.S. Supreme Court Rules EPA Can Regulate Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ennvironment Guide Larry West
• NSF Takes Greenhouse Gas Out for a Spin from US Government Info Guide Robert Longley