The state of California sued the six largest U.S. and Japanese automakers Wednesday, claiming carbon dioxide emissions from the vehicles they make are harming the health of Californians and damaging the environment in the Golden State. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in California, argues that the companies have violated public nuisance laws by contributing to global warming and seeks tens of millions of dollars in damages.
“We can’t wait another 10 years, it is time to hold these companies responsible for their contribution to this crisis.” said California Attorney General Bill Lockyear.
In the suit, California said the top six automakers produce vehicles that emit a total of 289 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in the United States each year — accounting for 92 percent of all auto emissions. Those emissions represent almost 20 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States and more than 30 percent of emissions in California, the suit said.
The suit appears to be trend in states pressing for greater corporate citizenship, bearing a striking resemblence to when states sued the tobacco industry for contributing to escalating health care costs.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who had purchased a fleet of eight Hummers for official transportation ended the hypocrisy by announcing the sale of the vehicles which achieve just 10 mpg and emit three times the average carbon dioxide.
Read the full story at AutoInsider.
As a rodder, I enjoy mass-transit to save wear&tear mileage for better times than just getting around. Also remember 76Cadillac promo offering a free Chevette?? Lawmakers and insurance industry can facilitate the 2 car, winter car & nice car combo, of pushing for econo-box second car for owners of big stuff. I ride a motorbike on sunny days and park the Bronco, for example. Positive incentives and policies will do more. Mass transit and carpools SOME of the time and SOME of the rides, will do SOMEthing. I used to ride the bus when my Comet was apart, and was just happy knowing I had that Comet ..So, yes, California, go sue yourself…
By bruce. October 12th, 2006 at 5:46 amWhen you do things like sue your own supporters for using the mustang name you have things like this coming to you.
By Cletus. September 27th, 2006 at 11:11 amThis is election year, keep that in mind, all the professional politicians need to get their name out there for the voters so they can show progress. Bill Lockyer has lost every major class action he has taken on, he chooses worthless battles to pursue, when he does do something it is usually a worthless effort and the press goes Ho Hum were not interested so Lockyer is desparate.
I think the auto makers should say “OK, you don’t like our products, well settle, well stop sending our cars to California and walk out of the court room.
Bill Lockyer needs to be locked up since he was caught buying drugs on Watt Ave in Sacramento.
By chiefcat. September 25th, 2006 at 8:09 pm[…] California sues Ford for emissionsFord Muscle, CA - 19 hours agoThe state of California sued the six largest US and Japanese automakers Wednesday, claiming carbon dioxide emissions from the vehicles they make are harming … […]
By Global News Blog » North America - State utility regulators approve new liquefied natural gas rules. September 23rd, 2006 at 8:25 amHAHAHAHAHAH!!! you sure this isn’t April 1st ??
By 71hotrodpinto. September 22nd, 2006 at 10:12 pmPleaaaase! Why dont they just sue the people of California?? After all they ( we ) are the ones pumping millions of gallons of gas into our cars so we can go to our jobs and schools, Etc, Etc. And Also the ones that are buying Millions and Millions of dollars of vehicles and vehicle parts.
The “lawyer” that is pushing this suit should be disbarred for a Obvious frivolous lawsuit
This lawsuit is baseless.
The State of California has a vehicle pollution board in place that all of the auto manufacturers have complied with for many years. The State Department of Motor Vehicles, or whatever the correct name is called, has approved the collection of taxes on license and title fees for all transactions of new and used vehicles. So, in effect, the State of California has legally accepted all of the vehicles the auto manufacturers have legally produced to the lawful standards of the State of California.
I do not see any attempt on behalf of the State of California to displace any of the “polluting” vehicles with an increase in public transportation in the form of subways, railways, trolleys, etc.
Maybe all of the auto manufacturers should stop shipping their products to the State of California, this will retract the lawsuit.
In the land of fruit and nuts, this lawsuit is for the birds.
By Frank from Deeeetroit. September 22nd, 2006 at 6:22 pm