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Forcing fuel efficiency

Nature abhors a vacuum, but politics fills it. That's what is happening on global warming and fuel efficiency. The Bush administration and Congress have refused to act on either issue, so the states are doing it for them.

New York and Massachusetts are the latest to consider adopting California's auto-emissions standard, which is tougher than federal guidelines. The state rule would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and indirectly force better mileage. In all, 10 states (and Canada) are planning to follow California's lead.

States have a choice because when the federal government decided to regulate automobile pollution, California was already doing it. So under the law, states can choose either federal or California standards. It isn't a partisan choice. The governors of half of the states looking to California are Republicans.

The auto industry has sued California and threatens to do the same to every state that adopts its rule, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (also a Republican) vows to defend it strenuously. Obstinacy is a familiar industry response to progress. In 1959, Chrysler objected to mandatory seat belts as "an unnecessary imposition." Seven years later, Henry Ford II called a federal mandate for laminated windshields, collapsible steering columns and shoulder belts "technically unfeasible."

Automakers do have one valid concern. Being required to reduce carbon dioxide emissions would essentially force them to improve mileage because the only way to reduce those emissions is through improved fuel efficiency. Considering that California, the other 10 states and Canada account for a third of the cars sold in North America, automakers would probably have to meet the state standard with every car made. The industry says that would add $3,000 to the cost of a car; the states say $1,000 but savings on gas would make up the difference.

Automakers have only themselves to blame. They have bullied Congress into impotence on fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, cars are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and the nation finds itself increasingly dependant on foreign oil to fuel gas-guzzlers.

Ideally, national energy policy should be established in Washington, not piecemeal by states with more forward-looking leadership. If the president and Congress are too beholden to special interests, then the states are left with no choice but to act themselves. And if the auto industry doesn't want states to make the rules, then it should encourage Congress to face reality on global warming and conservation. Just as seat belts and air bags didn't put automakers out of business, neither will better fuel economy standards.

[Last modified December 10, 2005, 00:51:18]