Posted on 11/15/2007 11:31:41 AM PST by SmithL
San Francisco (AP) -- A federal appeals court on Thursday threw out planned federal fuel economy standards for many sport-utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks, ruling that the Bush administration failed to address why those so-called "light trucks" are allowed to pollute more than cars.
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals also ruled that the standards, which were to go into effect next year, didn't properly assess the risk to the environment and failed to include heavier trucks.
"The ruling does two potentially very big things," said Brian Nowicki of the Center for Biological Diversity, which led the assault on the new fuel standards. "It finds that the administration must consider the environmental impacts and it rejects the long-standing and ridiculous exemption that SUVs, pickups and minivans enjoyed."
Department of Justice officials didn't immediately return a telephone call for comment.
Former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta announced the new rules to much fanfare in March 2006 in Baltimore's football stadium, proclaiming that they were "most ambitious fuel economy goals" yet for SUVs and their ilk. Mineta called the plan "pragmatic," and said it balanced fuel conservation with auto industry jobs and costs still in mind.
The standards required most passenger trucks to boost fuel economy from 22.2 miles per gallon to at least 23.5 miles per gallon by 2010. Passenger cars are required to meet a 27.5 mile per gallon average.
The court ordered the administration to examine why it continues to consider light trucks differently than cars.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Of course it’s the 9th circus.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Need to cram the lot of them into a Pinto...
Because light trucks are more oriented towards carg-hauling than sedans, dolts.
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals also ruled that the standards, which were to go into effect next year, didn’t properly assess the risk to the environment and failed to include heavier trucks.
::::::::
Yes, the socialist activist clowns of the 9th speak again. The People’s Republic of San Freakcisco shines again to make Californians proud of the world’s largest outdoor insane asylum...
[The court ordered the administration to examine why it continues to consider light trucks differently than cars.]
Obviously judges are not required to be very smart or have even a tiny bit of common sense. They can’t even tell the difference between cars and trucks.
When are the going to require the same MPG for 18 wheelers and cement trucks?
The 9th Circus is claiming the right to 'correct' the legislature as it sees fit.
If this ruling holds, 5000 more people will die, per year, in traffic accidents. Where are the “no blood for oil” protesters when we really need them?
One solution is simply to throw out all fuel economy standards.
And what on Earth is the “Center for Biological Diversity”?
[The court ordered the administration to examine why it continues to consider light trucks differently than cars.]
Your honors, we’ve examined it as per your ruling and we have determined that cars are different than trucks. Thank you for making us focus on that important issue and allowing us to examine it.
Gee, no bias from this AP writer.
NOT!
Not the judges' jobs. Different branches of government...
Well, frankly I think we're both right...though in different contexts. Legally, you are certainly more right than I.
There is an old saying somewhere - the law is an ass.
Yeah. Good luck trying to make an open-bed pickup truck suitable for carrying cargo and also aerodynamic enough to get the same mileage as a sedan. A little thing called physics will get in the way.
The blackrobe philosopher-kings have spoken! All bow to their will! You may genuflect now.
Ever try hauling a trailer, or some lumber, or anything for that matter ... with a Prius?
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