Bush Administration, Working with Auto Industry Attacks California's Clean Air Standards.

Interview with Daniel Becker, of the Sierra Club conducted by Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus.

California, because of the size of its market and the severity of its air pollution, has been allowed by the federal government to set its own requirements for automobiles sold in the state. The legislature recently passed a law requiring that ten percent of the vehicles sold in the state between 2003 and 2008 must be electric or zero-emission.

The auto industry responded by going to court to try to overturn this rule, arguing that it violated federal law. On Oct. 9 the Bush administration filed a brief in support of the auto industry's claim. Environmental activists point out that before going to the White House, Bush's chief of staff Andrew Card was the head lobbyist for General Motors, one of the plaintiffs in the current case.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Daniel Becker, director of the Sierra Club's Global Warming and Energy Campaign, about the collaboration between the auto industry and the Bush administration. He also discusses the impact a rollback in the clean car requirements would have on air quality, and proposals the Sierra Club has made to encourage auto-makers to produce cleaner cars.

Contact the Sierra Club by calling (202) 547-1141 or visit their Web site at www.sierraclub.org

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