Tamminen backs Lockyer automaker suit

Terry Tamminen, a former top environmental aide to Gov. Schwarzenegger, had written a piece in the Chronicle today defending Attorney General Bill Lockyer's suit against automakers for causing global warming. Let us say Bob's BBQ opens next to your home. Bob refuses to do anything to stop the greasy soot and the smell of burning ribs that pour into your windows each night, because he has permits and operates lawfully. Technically he may be right, but if you take him to court there's a good chance he will be found guilty of creating a nuisance and ordered to direct his chimney smoke away from your windows so you can resume the normal use and enjoyment of your home. If Bob's smoke was affecting your property value and health, your case would be even stronger. On the specifics of Lockyer's action: When California Attorney General Bill Lockyer sued automakers this September for contributing to global warming, he followed a well-worn path that leads to fairer and more equitable use of our commonwealth, in this case, our state treasury. His suit seeks to compensate taxpayers for some of the costs of dealing with climate change and comes only after trying other means to abate the threat posed by vehicle emissions.