Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Attorneys General of Oregon and six other states wrote to congressional leaders Monday asking them to make sure any bail-out of the nation’s auto makers is linked to an agreement to make cleaner cars. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

The California Clean Air Act goes into effect next year and would force General Motors, Chrysler and Ford to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of their cars by 30 percent over seven years.

More than a dozen states have adopted the act, but the automakers are spending millions to fight it in court.

Jake Weigler is a spokesman for Oregon’s Attorney General.

Jake Weiger: “Our position is pretty simple. If you’re asking us for billions in aid, you should stop spending millions of dollars fighting these lawsuits and instead get down to the business of improving your operations.”

Automakers say the requirements are too aggressive and could bankrupt the industry. That’s because gas-guzzlers have been the big sellers for the U.S. auto industry.

Customers looking for smaller, energy efficient vehicles, generally buy other makes.