Tulsa World: Inhofe calls expected Obama move 'environmental thuggery'

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Inhofe calls expected Obama move 'environmental thuggery'

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 1/26/2009 9:03 AM
Last Modified: 1/26/2009 3:27 PM

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe on Monday described as "environmental thuggery" an expected announcement by President Obama to move toward allowing California and other states to regulate their own tailpipe emissions for vehicles.

The Oklahoma Republican warned such a "patchwork" approach would cost jobs in the beleaguered auto industry.

As the top Republican of the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, Inhofe continues to take a leading role on such environmental issues.

He believes that such a move on vehicle emission by the Obama administration on emissions would not only cost jobs but take a step in the opposite direction of the president's focus of improving the economy.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., the current chairman of the Senate committee, welcomed such a move by Obama.

"Reports of President Obama’s decision to revisit the outrageous denial of the California waiver by the Bush Administration are more than welcome news," Boxer said.

She said an immediate review by the Environmental Protection Agency of the waiver decision shows respect for her state and the others, which represent more than half of the nation's population who are waiting for a green light to address global warming pollution from motor vehicles.

"As chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I will be working with the new EPA administrator to ensure that the California waiver moves forward as fast as possible," she said.

"When the waiver is signed, it will be a signal to Detroit that a huge market awaits them if they do the right thing and produce the cleanest, most efficient vehicles possible."

Obama is expected to make his announcement later this morning. By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau

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	Report Comment Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:08:08 AM) Inhofe accusing someone else of being a thug? Tell me I didn't just read that.
	Report Comment Brainiac, Glenpool (1/26/2009 9:08:10 AM) I thought State's rights were a cornerstone of Republican values.
	Report Comment TonyQ, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:09:21 AM) What do you call it when oil companies and their congressional stooges block any attempt to regulate emissions for decades on end?
	Report Comment jrbinstl, (1/26/2009 9:12:42 AM) Inhofe is a drunk thug!
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:13:45 AM) Wow. Thuggery. Quite a big word for our senior Senator.
	Report Comment toyourdismay, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:15:48 AM) rolls eyes
	Report Comment Hijinx, (1/26/2009 9:18:06 AM) If there were any doubt left about Inhofe and his puppeteers this should end it.
	Report Comment The Good Doctor, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:19:27 AM) Wouldn't redesigning and refitting autos to meet new emission standards help create jobs? I'm starting to think Inhofe has Mad Cow.
	Report Comment Scritchner, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:22:07 AM) Oh, c'mon. I'm sure the Senator from Oklahoma knows whats best for the people in California. "I thought State's rights were a cornerstone of Republican values."
	Report Comment SS_hippy, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:22:29 AM) takes a thug to know one Jimbo
	Report Comment Frites and Mayo, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:23:40 AM) He might just be a mad cow.
	Report Comment NothinLikeOklahoma, Jenks (1/26/2009 9:23:51 AM) How could this waiver COST jobs in the auto industry? Obviously what they've been doing isn't working, and the American people are fed up. Jim it just isn't working - jobs are already being lost. Time to reevaluate and look at this as moving FORWARD - open your eyes and see the HUGE market for renewable energy and more fuel efficient cars. If the car industry had moved there sooner they wouldn't be in this mess. I applaud California for their hard work in getting this waiver. We can't improve the economy without reinventing the economy and here is our shot. Now if only Oklahoma would follow California's lead.
	Report Comment Headhunter66, Laguna Hills (1/26/2009 9:28:39 AM) Do none of you realize EVERY regulation California passes, becomes law for the auto and recreational industry? These nuts here in California neither care nor have any understanding of the problems they create for their own state, let alone those of Oklahoma.
	Report Comment SS_hippy, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:29:02 AM) he's so right he's wrong
	Report Comment Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (1/26/2009 9:29:09 AM) what is- I think it has to be name recognition
	Report Comment Headhunter66, Laguna Hills (1/26/2009 9:30:50 AM) Oh and thanks in advance for your $42 billion you will be sending to bail us out of this year's budget shortfall.
	Report Comment FS, Broken Arrow (1/26/2009 9:35:22 AM) It's a shame we still have this idiot running loose.
	Report Comment cowboytimothy, (1/26/2009 9:38:10 AM) What happened to state's rights? Inhofe is so inconsistent about his stands, it smacks of no principle whatsoever. The man is a pawn and little more.
	Report Comment Angry Citizen!, Bluejacket (1/26/2009 9:42:49 AM) Let California do what they want! But don't award them Federal dollars for being "progressive" and "Environmentally friendly", which is really what that bankrupt mess is after.
	Report Comment Headhunter66, Laguna Hills (1/26/2009 9:49:26 AM) California runs out of money in February. They intend to send IOU's to their taxpayers instead of refunds. They plan to triple the registration cost for cars. The teachers union (which is the largest employer in the state) is voting to authorize a strike because they want a raise. LA County openly admit that 90% of its employees are illegal. All this and Obama is going to authorize this legislature to set the fuel emissions standards for the entire country. Strikes if taxation without representation.
	Report Comment concernedpapa, Kiefer (1/26/2009 10:04:12 AM) Headhunter read the article> It states that it will be able to regulate emmisions for California.
	Report Comment Granny in OK, (1/26/2009 10:04:38 AM) Sounds like Inhoff is just trying to find something to disagree with our new President about and all he can come up with is this?? Give me a break! Making the auto industry build environmentally safe cars can only create jobs - not take them away. Did Inhoff have a brain tumor for breakfast?
	Report Comment Ignatz, Broken Bow (1/26/2009 10:07:16 AM) Headhunter & Es, you two need to find someone with just a shade of integrity and intelligence to side with on the issues rather than this clown.
	Report Comment zenacaveman, Jay (1/26/2009 10:10:42 AM) Harsh words comming from a man that would sue his own kin. LOL
	Report Comment Hawktalk, (1/26/2009 10:11:03 AM) Like 50 kinds of gasoline in the US and the shortages and higher prices they bring? Welcome to another layer of stupidity.

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