U.S. automakers could see national CO2 standard - Reuters

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Source: Reuters

U.S. automakers could see national CO2 standard

By Scott Malone
1 hour, 11 minutes ago

BOSTON (Reuters) - The U.S. auto industry can expect stronger regulations on carbon
dioxide emissions, but experts said carmakers may be spared from having to adapt to a
patchwork of varying state standards, following a Supreme Court decision, experts said
on Tuesday.

The nation's highest court ruled on Monday that the Environmental Protection Agency
has the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions that spur global warming.

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In the absence of strict national regulation, some states have taken matters into their
own hands. Most notably, California, which already had the country's strictest emissions
standards, in September sued six major U.S. automakers, seeking to recoup billions of
dollars in damages the state contended were due to vehicle emissions.

-snip-

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents Detroit's Big Three automakers
-- Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and the U.S. arm of DaimlerChrysler AG -- as well
as their foreign brethren operating in the United States, also said it welcomed the idea
of a national standard.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070403/us_nm/usa_autos_emissions_dc