Nov. 29, 2006: Cars and Climate Change Hit High Court Today

Cars and climate change hit the nation's highest court today, in a case that could have major impact in Wisconsin.

WISCONSIN NEWS CONNECTION
Nov. 29, 2006

Cars and Climate Change Hit High Court Today

Washington, DC - Should the E-P-A become a "traffic cop" when it comes to global warming pollutants from vehicles? That's what the US Supreme Court may soon decide as it takes up the issue today, and groups bringing the suit say it has big implications in Wisconsin. Comments from Howard Fox with Earth Justice, and Bruce Nilles with the Sierra Club in Wisconsin.

Cars and global warming collide in the nation's highest court today, in a case that could have a major impact here in Wisconsin. At issue is whether the E-P-A should act to limit global warming pollutants from vehicles. Attorney Howard Fox with Earth Justice says the E-P-A has ignored its duty under the Clean Air Act - and the Supreme Court has a chance to make a big difference in global warming.

"What we'd have is cars that are cleaner, not just for things like particles that cause asthma and so forth, but also for greenhouse gasses that cause serious climate change impacts."

Fox says the E-P-A should require higher fuel efficiency standards; he says that would cut fuel costs and reduce the amount of carbon released by cars and trucks. The E-P-A has argued that greenhouse gasses are not considered a pollutant under the Clean Air Act.

Bruce Nilles with the Sierra Club in Wisconsin says our state is a big source of global warming pollution - and no matter what the Supreme Court decides, the state could take action on its own.

"We could follow the leads of 11 other states and adopt clean car standards. That would take a big bite out of our overall contribution to global warming, and it would also help our residents with their pocketbooks, because it would mean that cars get more miles to the gallon."

The US Supreme Court today takes up cars and the role they play in global warming. The E-P-A is accused of ignoring its duty under the Clean Air Act to control greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Bruce Nilles with the Sierra Club in Wisconsin says better fuel economy rules would make a big difference.

"The transportation sector's contribution to global warming is enormous. Here in Wisconsin it's about 28-29 percent of our overall global warming emissions."

Nilles says Wisconsin and neighboring states are big global warming polluters. The E-P-A has argued that greenhouse gasses are not pollutants under the Clean Air Act.