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California likely to settle carmakers CO2 lawsuit |
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The State's new Attorney General wants to meet six major carmakers to discuss a possible resolution of the lawsuit California filed against them last September. In the meantime, Maryland will adopt California's clean car standards as the 12th U.S. State.
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2007-02-28
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Edmund G. Brown, California's new Attorney General, sent a letter to General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Daimler Chrysler, Honda, and Nissan to request a meeting that could lead to a cooperative resolution of the public nuisance lawsuit his predecessor Bill Lockyer had filed in September 2006. The case seeks for financial compensation from the six carmakers for their contribution to climate change with vehicle emissions being the State's largest single source of greenhouse gases (GHG).
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The manufacturers have already indicated their willingness to improve their vehicles' average fuel efficiency on the Californian market, given that the State drops the lawsuit against them. However, California is not willing to dismiss the case by saying that it would still "hold automakers accountable". A first hearing is scheduled for 6 March.
"With the current public, state, and Congressional focus on global warming and possible solutions, this is the right time for the state and the automakers to find cooperative approaches and resolve litigation in a constructive manner," explained Attorney General Brown.
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More States joining California's GHG initiative
Maryland will become the 12th U.S. State to adopt California's Low Emissions Vehicle standards that set clear GHG reduction targets for new cars, beginning with the 2011 model year. After the Senate's final approval of the "Clean Cars Act", Maryland will join 11 States – representing 1/3 of the nation's drivers – that follow California's example.
The Californian standard to be adopted requires manufacturers to reduce global warming emissions from new cars and trucks by 30% by 2016. In California, it will take effect from the 2009 model year. Since the law was passed in 2002, eleven U.S. States (New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and Pennsylvania) and Canada have established similar legislation.
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More information:
› Press Release Attorney General Brown and his letter to the carmakers
› See our related news from 20 September, 2006
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