GOP Hopefuls Back California Bid for Local GHG Rules

GOP Hopefuls Back California Bid for Local GHG Rules

We'll let you decide if they were serious or just blowing smoke in hopes of picking up votes, but all four Republican presidential hopefuls distanced themselves from the Bush Administration's stand on greenhouse gas regulations during their California debate this week

If not sounding like bona fide greenies, the four at least sounded unified in a belief that the federal government should back off and allow California to set whatever limits it likes on automotive emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The Environmental Protection Agency's top administrator last month denied California a waiver that it needs to proceed with ths GHG regulation plan.

Following is contributor Scott Doggett's take on that aspect of Wednesday night's debate. Green Car Advisor queried the leading presidential candidates on their automotive-related environmental positions eary this month and none of the Republicans addressed the state-versus-federal emissions situation at that time.
 
But during Wednesday night's debate in Simi Valley, California -- when asked if they sided with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's position that the state ought to be allowed to set GHG tailpipe standards for cars and trucks sold within its boundaries, or instead favored the Bush administration's position that only federal emissions regulations should exist -- all seemed to side with the governor.
 
Arizona Sen. John McCain, the front-runner, said he had to agree with Schwarzenegger, who incidentally endorsed McCain today. "I'm a federalist,"  he said. "I believe the states should decide to enormous degrees what happens within those states."
 
McCain said he applauds Schwarzenegger's efforts and those of "other states across America to try to eliminate the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change."
 
Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, agreed that California should be granted the waiver.
 
"But," he said, "we've got a federal government that wants to give us unfunded mandates at the state level and doesn't want us to experiment with ideas in good government that might solve a lot of the problems that our country faces."
 
George Romney, former Massachusetts governor and McCain's principal opponent, said states should be permitted to "make their own regulations with regards to emissions within their own states."
 
"The consequences of us continuing to buy over $1 billion of oil a day from people who oftentimes use this money against us is bad for our economy; it's bad for our foreign policy; and all that energy being used is probably bad for our environment," he said.

But when campaigning earlier this month in Michigan, just before that state's GOP primary -- which he won -- Romney seemed to have a different take on things.

He told audiences in the auto-dependent state that he wasn't a big fan of the federal fuel economy rules that had been approved in December and will boost required average fuel economy to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.  Because carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases are direclty related to fuel burned, rasiing fuel economy standards would lower greenhouse gas emissions.
 
Ron Paul, a congressman from Texas and a long-shot candidate, voiced support for California, though on characteristically libertarian grounds, making sure to toss in an appeal to strengthen property rights.
 
"I think California should do what they want," he said. "But one thing that hasn't been emphasized here that should be emphasized when we're dealing with the environment and gas house -- you know, greenhouse gases -- is property rights.

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.