Okay, last time we checked in with California automobile emission standards, the Environmental Protection Agency had decided to go ahead and let the state set its own emission standards, which would be more stringent than those of the rest of the nation. So, let’s check in on how that progress is going…oh, wonderful, a motion has been filed in court that is the first step in suing to get that decision reversed. Says the New York Times:

The United States Chamber of Commerce is joining with the National Automobile Dealers Association to try to derail California’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. In a preliminary filing on Tuesday with the United States Court of Appeals in Washington, the chamber and the association asked for a review of an action by the Environmental Protection Agency in June that granted California a waiver allowing it to regulate tailpipe climate emissions.

It’s always fun when one part of the government sues another. It’s interesting to note that the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents Detroit’s Big Three, does not back this move. The motion, as well, seems not to want to roll back any EPA-set standards; instead, it hopes to set a precedent where states cannot set standards themselves. Regardless, it’s a shot across the bow of those wishing to find ways to lower carbon emissions in Los Angeles, where visibility is usually measured in yards. Did you know there are huge mountains to the North and East of LA? Haha, of course you don’t because they’re always covered by smog. And this is what LA traffic is always like. Fun!

southern california traffic photo credit: DRB2’s flickr photostream/Creative Commons