CA: Should state haul big oil and auto giants to court?

Sacramento Bee ^ | October 1, 2006 | Stuart Leavenworth

[calcowgirl]

Ten years ago, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was enhancing his movie career with "Jingle All the Way," his future environmental adviser Terry Tamminen was working as a pool-cleaning expert, water cop and would-be Bard of the Bay.

As Santa Monica Baykeeper, Tamminen spent his days tooling around in his boat harassing litterbugs. He also was promoting copies of his book, "The Ultimate Pool Maintenance Manual," while playing the role of Shakespeare in a children's play he wrote.

Over the objections of some Republican advisers, Schwarzenegger appointed Tamminen as secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. Then he became the governor's cabinet secretary, and later, a special adviser, before he left the state payroll in August.

Now Tamminen is about to launch a new crusade, one that few would expect from a close adviser to a Hummer-driving governor. In a few weeks, bookstores will begin stocking copies of "Lives Per Gallon," a book by Tamminen that examines America's petroleum addiction and launches a blistering attack on the practices of the world's oil and automobile industries.

In the 250-page book, Tamminen argues these companies are perpetrating frauds similar to the tobacco industry by employing hired-gun experts and front groups to fight regulation and sidestep the health and environmental costs they impose on society. These two industries, he argues, are deserving of the same forceful litigation and taxation that has successfully reduced smoking rates in the past decade.

The timing of "Lives Per Gallon" could give the book a wide readership and make it an issue in the governor's campaign. Don't be surprised if Schwarzenegger's opponent, Treasurer Phil Angelides, starts waving "Lives Per Gallon" in the governor's face and pressuring him to endorse Proposition 87, a proposed severance tax on California oil production that Tamminen supports.

[pandemoniumreigns]

"In the 250-page book, Tamminen argues these companies are perpetrating frauds similar to the tobacco industry by employing hired-gun experts and front groups to fight regulation and sidestep the health and environmental costs they impose on society. These two industries, he argues, are deserving of the same forceful litigation and taxation that has successfully reduced smoking rates in the past decade."

And to think I grew up admirering hired guns...(/sarc)

[goodnesswins]

Hope they like the smell of horse dung....

[dalereed]

"Terry Tamminen: He argues in his new book
that the oil and auto industries should be sued
for perpetrating fraud."

He should e cdounter sued for screwing with my transportation and enjoyment of gasoline powered vehicles!