California Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement Following Meeting with Automakers

05/08/2008 -- Today California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement after meeting with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers' Board of Directors:

"I want to thank the automakers for meeting with me today. I believe there is an opportunity for us to be strong allies.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: Photo courtesy California Governor's office

"In fact, California may be doing more to save the U.S. auto industry than anyone else because we are pushing them to change. The automakers need to have a long-range vision and develop the technology that will make them competitive in the world arena.

"California and 13 other states want cleaner, more efficient cars. And I will fight to ensure that nothing stands in our way. But government by itself cannot get us where we need to go. I'm a big believer in American technology, and I think that technology is what eventually will save the auto industry and the environment.

"Nearly half of the nation's drivers want automakers to make cleaner cars, which means there's a huge market for these cars. Automakers should get on board and tap into this great market.

"Today, I made it clear to the automakers that California will not back down in the fight to protect our own environment by regulating pollution that causes global warming. We will continue to press the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to grant our request for a waiver, and we will use legal remedies if they fail to do so.

"Hiding behind the federal government's proposed CAFE standards won't work, and it won't effectively reduce the pollution that causes global warming. In fact, I believe the federal government should adopt California's model; with 13 other states on board, we are heading in the right direction."

Source: California Governor

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