By Howard Fischer
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/knau/local-knau-817513.mp3
Phoenix, AZ – Governor Jan Brewer may rescind some new vehicle emission rules
designed to reduce greenhouse gases. Arizona Public Radio's
Howard Fischer explains.
Janet Napolitano directed the state Department of Environmental
Quality to enact the rules last year, saying carbon dioxide and
similar gases are linked to global climate change. They require
each automobile manufacturer to reduce overall greenhouse gas
emissions from its total sales in the state by 37 percent by
2016. Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said the governor is
reviewing the rules to determine whether they should be allowed
to take effect. Brewer isn't the only one targeting the rules.
Sen. Sylvia Allen has introduced a measure to block DEQ from
enforcing the rules unless the agency first gets legislative
approval.
(I believe that they're faulty. I do not believe that humans are
causing the climate change. And that is where the big debate is.
And I believe that climate is very cyclical and that there's so
many things that go into that.)
The actions by both Brewer and Allen come as President Barack
Obama is moving in the other direction. He wants to give states
more power to set their own greenhouse gas rules, particularly
after the refusal of the Bush administration to regulate those
emissions. The Arizona rules adopted last year are scheduled to
kick in automatically -- unless Brewer first gets the regulations
repealed or lawmakers act. For Arizona Public Radio this is
Howard Fischer.