California AG Petitions EPA to Curb Airplane Emissions  | Wed
Dec. 5, 2007 10:32 AM GMT  According to the EPA, airplanes
contribute 12 percent of transportation greenhouse gases, but
they disproportionately harm the atmosphere by leaving heat-
trapping contrails and cirrus clouds. So California Attorney
General Jerry Brown deserves kudos today for petitioning the EPA
to start imposing tough limits on plane emissions within six
months. Lighter, more fuel efficient jumbo jets are already on
the market, and there's no reason why the government shouldn't
encourage their use by setting standards.  The move is another
green feather in the cap for Brown, who has already sued the
Bush Administration to allow the state to regulate tailpipe
emissions, the auto industry over damages caused by global
warming, and California counties to force them to reduce
suburban sprawl and greenhouse gas emissions--using state laws
already on the books. In recent polls Brown has topped all other
Democrats as the most popular candidate