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| California sues 6 biggest automakers for global warming |
| 2006-09-20 |
| SACRAMENTO — California’s attorney general on Wednesday sued the six largest U.S. and Japanese automakers, including GM, Ford and Toyota, for damages related to greenhouse gas emissions. The federal lawsuit alleges that emissions from their vehicles have harmed Californians’ health, damaged the environment and cost the state millions of dollars to combat their effects. “It’s part of a strategy to address global warming,” Attorney General Bill Lockyer told the Associated Press in a telephone interview. “The goal of this one is to hold these automobile manufacturers accountable for the monies taxpayers are spending to address these harms.” The lawsuit is the latest effort from California to combat the effects of global warming. Last month, the state Legislature passed a landmark bill designed to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases from industries. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the measure into law by the end of the month. Two years ago, the state enacted similar requirements for auto emissions, prompting carmakers to file suit in federal court. Lockyer’s action comes 48 days before the November election. He is termed out of office this year and is running for state treasurer. “This is the silly season of elections in the fall, and obviously he thinks this will gain him a few marginal votes,” said Sean McAlinden, an economist with the nonprofit Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. “I don’t think it means anything more than it says. It’s California politics.” The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Oakland, names Chrysler Motors Corp., General Motors, Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor North America, Honda North America and Nissan North America. |
| Posted by:john |
| #17 the validity (intellectually, scientifically, or legally) would barely be scrutinized before Lockyer filed it. The point is to get his name in the news before the election. It'll be dropped(costing taxpayers) after the election. He's a political hack and whore |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-09-20 21:01 |
| #16 So, only American and Japanese cars contribute to global warming? Volvos and Hyundais are "clean machines"? Not a lawyer, but couldn't they get the suit chucked based on some kind of discrimination thingy because they aren't going after other automakers, and are just targeting US/Japanese (not all of the Japanese ones, either...Subaru isn't listed)? |
| Posted by: Swamp Blondie 2006-09-20 20:58 |
| #15 Dar wins. For those who don't know, California will be voting on Prop 87. Tax on oil production, with some BS about how the oil companies will not be able to pass-through the increases to gas consumers. 4 Billion tax, new bureaucracy, wash, rinse, repeat. |
| Posted by: Master of Obvious 2006-09-20 19:46 |
| #14 he's running for State Treasurer now IIRC - he's just tryting to pump his name up. We all should do our best to make sure that his name is most associated with "lying self-promoting jerk" c'mon and repeat it with me! It's catchy! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-09-20 19:31 |
| #13 More sheer & utter stooopidity from the communists masquerading as Dummocrats in the legislature.And RINO Schwartzie goes right along with the insanity. He actaully agreed to turn the LA school system over to the twerp Mexican commie mayor, who tried multiple times and still couldn't cheat his way through the law exam. Kaleforneeya is nearly a 3rd world joke, thanks to these clowns. |
| Posted by: SOP35/Rat 2006-09-20 19:28 |
| #12 Aren't there penalties for frivolous lawsuits? Not in California. |
| Posted by: DMFD 2006-09-20 18:42 |
| #11 Lockyer s just trying to establish his bonafides with the LLL so he can run for Govenor or maybe Senator in 2010. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2006-09-20 18:41 |
| #10 Aren't there penalties for frivolous lawsuits? |
| Posted by: Bobby 2006-09-20 18:04 |
| #9 As a Californian I think Dar has it dialed in but call it a 20% carbon reduction fee. Hit these bastards where it hurts makle it a 50% fee on any sales to the State government. I am hoping these assclowns come to their senses but they long ago legislated and lawyered me out of any meaninful living wage job. As I am not a recognised 'minority' by the socailists they expect me to just die off or go away. I can't afford too, so I am in no position to go away. Lawyers are scumb and Bill Lockyer is a walking piece of canine fecal matter. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2006-09-20 17:57 |
| #8 The "big 6" should retaliate by removing every automobile from their dealerships in California, and not shipping any more. Expand the deal to cover all parts and accessories as well. Put a total automobile boycott in effect in California. Tell ALL CALIFORNIANS the reason for doing this is to "prevent any further global warming" from taking place in California. I don't think it would take more than 30 days for the state to begin screaming. It's time for idiots like this to suffer for their stupidity. The rest of the state can suffer because they're not willing to do what's necessary to get rid of such idiots, and that includes the "compound" in Hollyweird and all the "undocumented workers" in San Diego, Los Angeles, the San Fernando valley, and elsewhere. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-09-20 17:52 |
| #7 More realistically, the automakers should start charging a "California Global Warming" fee on all new vehicle sales within CA--say an extra 10% on dealer cost? That should get some legislators' attentions when their phones ring off the hook. |
| Posted by: Dar 2006-09-20 17:26 |
| #6 Ah, but when they tried the big tobacco thing against firearm manufacturers, it fizzled badly. The legal industry has spent all the money they stole from the tobacco thing, and are throwing anything and everything they can against the wall to see what sticks to insure income security. This is just the latest - in six months it'll be something else. Trouble is, the American public's caught on now. No more gravy train, lawyer-boy. |
| Posted by: no mo uro 2006-09-20 17:24 |
| #5 Excellent point, tu. |
| Posted by: xbalanke 2006-09-20 17:13 |
| #4 When they came for Big Tobacco, I said nothing... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2006-09-20 16:55 |
| #3 This is intended to generate positive press for the democrats for the fall elections. |
| Posted by: DoDo 2006-09-20 16:53 |
| #2 Is that viable Dar? If so, sounds like a great idea - nothing like actions having consequences to make folks go 'oh dear'. |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2006-09-20 16:42 |
| #1 The clear solution here is for the entire state to stop driving... RIGHT NOW! And I think the automakers should band together and stop shipping new vehicles to dealers and ports in CA. |
| Posted by: Dar 2006-09-20 16:35 |