Calif. Urges EPA to Reverse Emissions Ruling

The California Air Resources Board urged federal regulators to reverse a Bush administration decision that blocks the state’s efforts to set its own limits on greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, the Associated Press reported.

CARB Chairwoman Mary Nichols said at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hearing late last week that if the state is unable to control the gases blamed for global warming from cars and trucks, its other air pollution problems will get worse, AP reported.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and representatives of the auto industry urged EPA to develop a single, national standard, AP said.

In March 2008, EPA blocked the state from setting its own emission standards, but President Obama has ordered the agency to reconsider the decision.

Thirteen other states and the District of Columbia want to adopt California’s standards, AP said.