Auto Industry Seeks States’ Support on Emissions Rules

The automobile industry is focusing on state lawmakers in an effort to head off any plans to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions similarly to California, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

A 2002 California law would effectively require the automobile industry to cut its greenhouse-gas emissions by 30% by 2016, the paper said.

About a dozen states have so far modeled standards based on California’s law, the Journal said, and while the Bush administration has blocked the state from enforcing its proposed carbon dioxide standard, states are challenging that move.

Auto makers are turning to dealers to block potential moves by state governments, the paper said.