Once again the battle rages over the right of Federal Power to supersede State authority.
Recently, George W. Bush signed an energy bill approving emissions controls at a level deemed appropriate to the administration, thereby opening up the door for the EPA to deny a waiver Governor Schwarzenegger sought for the State of California in order to pursue a stepped-up plan for tighter restrictions in the Golden State.
Insisting he takes the issue of global warming very seriously, President Bush backed the EPA'S rejection of the Governor's bid to enact his own set of standards here on the West Coast.
In fact, Bush argued that the energy bill he signed into law was a more effective National strategy and reduced the need for individual state regulations.
I understand the necessity of a Uniform Federal Standard - after all - willy-nilly controls here and there across the Nation are likely to cause confusion. Ultimately, a patchwork of regulations around the United States appears to be impractical at first glance.
But, what is wrong with a heightened pursuit of emission-control action in an overly populated State like California, where factors dictate higher standards may be required - let's say - than in Montana?
None, in my estimation.
So, why was the waiver denied, in all reality?
Schwarzenegger alleges that the State of California met all the criteria for the waiver to be granted and insists that the EPA stalled and delayed deliberately until Bush signed the Energy Bill into Law so they would have grounds to reject his waiver.
For the aforementioned reasons, California has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government (EPA) for relief.
On January 10th, a panel of outraged State and environmental leaders met to thoroughly examine why the Federal Government was hell-bent on denying California and sixteen other states the right to regulate their own emissions from cars, trucks, and SUV's.
In my view, the answer is painfully obvious.
The automakers are not ready to take responsibility yet or implement the emission control changes people are crying out for; essentially, Detroit has been stalling because they need more time.
If the truth be known, lobbyists for the auto industry are pulling the strings behind the scenes and are capable of doing so because they have a handful of powerful politicians in their pockets and at their beck and call.
It's no mystery to me as to what transpires in the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.
