Representative Peter Welch of Vermont submitted a bill on Thursday that would allow California and other states to set create their own laws regarding greenhouse gases and other emissions. The bill, H.R. 5560, was has 58 cosponsors. via Reuters.

A bill was introduced in the House
of Representatives on Thursday that would overturn the
Environmental Protection Agency's decision to prevent
California from limiting the amount of greenhouse gas emissions
spewed by cars.

 

The EPA last December turned down California's request for
a waiver from federal law that would have permitted the state
to cut vehicle carbon dioxide emissions, which when implemented
would have likely have raised the required fuel efficiency of
cars and also fought global warming.

A group of 60 House lawmakers introduced legislation that
would immediately grant California's waiver request and also
clear the way for 12 other states to set vehicle tailpipe
emissions standards.

Some have questioned the legality of the EPA's decision not to allow states to set their own emissions standards, but it's widely believed that nothing will be done to pursue the issue within the executive branch. The question remains whether or not this bill can pass the House and Senate, and if it does, whether or not President Bush will allow it to become law.

The alternative is to wait a year and add this issue to the growing list of issues that our next President is going to have to fix.