Calif. guv threatens to sue EPA over GHG regulations

The state’s eco-friendly (“environmentally hip?”) Republican governor is threatening to sue the EPA if the agency doesn’t grant California the right to implement its own regulations on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from automobiles, according to reports.

In order to enforce its own regulations, the state needs a waiver from the EPA. It requested one back in 2005, but the EPA sat on it, arguing that it didn’t have the authority to regulate GHGs.

That perception changed last week when the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 vote that the EPA does indeed have the power to set limits on GHGs associated with global warming.

So now, the EPA says it’s working on California’s request, which entails holding a public hearing in D.C. on May 22, followed by a opening up a public comment period through June 15.

“It’s a priority for Californians to protect our environment, and if the federal government fails to act to protect our environment, we will take steps to do so ourselves,” Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear reportedly told The Associated Press.

If California is granted the waiver, it will be able to enact a law passed in 2002 that would force automakers to reduce car and light-truck emissions by 25 percent and SUV emissions by 18 percent, starting with the 2009 model year.

The waiver could also pave the way for the state to implement a law passed last September, which calls for a 25 percent statewide decrease of carbon dioxide and other gases by 2020.

While the 2002 law clearly impacts the auto industry most, at least in the immediate future, the latter would no doubt touch other industries — including the state’s high-tech companies, which not only produce C02-producing hardware but also spew out large quantities to run their datacenter operations.

Notably, many California-based IT companies are making moves to tackle energy consumption and reduce carbon footprints, including HP, Yahoo, and Sun.