Clean Air Act ruling bolsters state car regulations

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, April, 2007 | by Sandy Bauers Inquirer Staff Writer

The U.S. Supreme Court's groundbreaking decision that regulation of so-called greenhouse gases appears to fall under the Clean Air Act is expected to have far-reaching consequences.

But for New Jersey and Pennsylvania, experts said yesterday, the biggest impact of Monday's ruling is likely to be what they won't experience - legal challenges to their programs to mandate cleaner-burning cars.

Both states have enacted rules based on California legislation that regulates carbon-dioxide emissions from passenger cars and light trucks.

Carbon dioxide, produced by the burning of fossil fuels, is a key ingredient in the atmospheric buildup that scientists say is warming the planet. The Bush administration's positions on global warming triggered the actions by the states as...