Posted on 09/27/2006 10:13:22 AM PDT by lowbridge
EXCLUSIVE: THE TERMIMOTOR Arnie dumps gas-guzzling Hummers as California sues carmarkers over pollution
By Ryan Parry, Us Correspondent
ARNOLD Schwarzenegger has dumped his £500,000 fleet of Hummers as California sues the world's largest carmakers over pollution.
The Californian governor sold eight of the four-ton, 110mph army-style trucks - which do only 10 miles to the gallon - to prove his commitment to helping the fight against global warning.
Schwarzenegger used to call the monster vehicles "incredibly precise and forceful machines". But the Terminator star has had a change of heart since swapping the silver screen for a career in politics. Green campaigner Al Gore mentioned the garage clear-out at a speech in New York. He said: "Arnie has given up his Hummers."
The hulking trucks emit three times more carbon dioxide than average cars, giving off more smog-producing pollutants and dangerous particles.
But as governor he realised owning a Hummer - used in the Gulf War in 1991 - sent out the wrong message.
During his campaign for election he promised to cut air pollution in half, reduce energy use by 20 per cent in five to eight years and remove polluting vehicles from the state's roads.
Yesterday the State of California announced it is suing six carmakers - General Motors, Toyota, Ford, Honda, Chrysler and Nissan - over their vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions.
The lawsuit, lodged on behalf of the Californian people by state attorney-general Bill Lockyer, alleges that fumes from cars made by the six firms account for 30 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions in the state.
California is asking for "hundreds of millions of dollars" for damage which it says their exhaust gasses are doing to health, economy and environment - including melting the snow pack, raising sea levels and ozone pollution.
Mr Lockyer said: "Global warming is causing significant harm to California's environment, economy, agriculture and public health. It is time to hold these companies responsible for their contribution to this crisis."
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers called it a "nuisance" suit.
Schwarzenegger was the first person to buy a Hummer in 1992 after convincing then-manufacturer AM General to make one for civilian use.
He did show support for the greener Hydrogen Hummer and committed $100million (£75million) to building hydrogen refuelling stations.
CORRECTION AS OF 9/26 ARNOLD STILL OWNS A COUPLE OF HUMMERS.
If this man of far above average wealth wanted to reduce air pollution, he could have scrapped his fleet of Hummers in a ecologically sound manner as prescribed by law, and taken them off the street forever. He had museum pieces that were barely used, that will now be daily drivers.
Dumb publicity stunt.
Something Bill Clinton wouldn't consider.
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