California has sued the U.S. Government over their recent rejection of an emissions curbing law the state wanted to enact. Fifteen other states have also signed on. You can read details from this piece in the LA Times or here at CNN. Looking for something with a bit more international flair? Read the BBC's take on the whole thing.
The nut-nut is that under the federal Clean Air act, California is allowed to enact stricter standards than the res of the country as long as the EPA gives them a waiver. They applied for the waiver, which would wanted to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in vehicles over the next 8 years. Over the last 30 years, about 50 waivers have been allowed and have lead to things like catalytic converters and unleaded gasoline. The EPA said no.
I just don't get it. California wants to do something to not only better their own state's climate and the health and well-being of its residents, but this will have an impact on the rest of the country and even the world as well. Explain to me how that is a bad thing?
