Canada considers Cali model for Car emissions

When Governor Gray Davis signed legislation mandating fuel efficiency and emission standards, a major concern was that companies would either not make products for the California market or make consumers pay heavily for it. Now, other governments are considering following California's lead:

Canadian officials, who are considering regulations to reduce carbon dioxide exhaust from cars and trucks, are spending a few days this week getting a firsthand look at their primary inspiration: California.

Although Canada has not decided whether it will follow California's lead by requiring automakers to cut greenhouse gases to combat global warming, the country's environment minister noted Monday that doing so could have a powerful cumulative effect.

If Canada and New York and other Northeastern states all pass California-style greenhouse gas regulations, "we would be at least a third of the market," Environment Minister Stephane Dion said. "It is always difficult for Canada to go alone."

It's difficult for anyone to go alone, and California will be lucky each time another market follows its lead.