Clearing the air

Are the EPA and the auto industry sharing a press office? Consider the language used today by EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson in denying California and 16* other states the right to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobile tailpipes: “The Bush administration is moving forward with a clear national solution, not a confusing patchwork of state rules."

Here's what David McCurdy, CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers had to say back in November: "It is the view of the Alliance that enhancing energy security and improving fuel economy are priorities to all Americans, but a patchwork quilt of regulations at the state level is not the answer."

Here's what McCurdy told a House energy subcommittee in June: "The United States needs a consistent policy that avoid the marketplace chaos that would surely arise from a patchwork quilt of conflicting state fuel economy/carbon dioxide mandates."

Here's what Stephen Douglas, environmental affairs director for the Alliance, said in May: "[A] patchwork of state-level fuel economy regulations as is now proposed by California is not just unnecessary but actually counter-productive."

That's some patchwork.

*I last counted 15 states, but the NYT says 16. I defer to the people who are still reporting the issue.