Richardson + 11 governors blast federal rulemaking on car emissions

Gov. Bill Richardson has joined governors from 11 other states in sending a letter to President George W. Bush criticizing federal rulemaking on greenhouse gas emissions from cars.

The letter expresses their dissatisfaction over the administration's attempt to preempt states working to control these emissions. The governors also sent a similar letter to congressional leaders, according to Richardson's office.

The rulemaking on Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE standards, was proposed this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The rulemaking rewrites the Clean Air Act and gives the federal government authority over greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, according to Richardson.

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The governors claim the rulemaking contradicts recent court rulings that allow states to regulate greenhouse gases from automobiles. The governors participating in the letter writing represent Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington. The states intend to comment on the rulemaking and file a lawsuit against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if necessary.

"While the Bush Administration is attempting to roll back progressive policies, states are forging ahead," said Richardson. "We will continue to show that you can take aggressive efforts to address climate change while creating good, high-paying, sustainable jobs for the future."