It's Not Easy Being Green ... and Republican

Nov. 17 -- When it comes to understanding where Arnold Schwarzenegger stands on environmental issues, the new California governor's Hummer offers a clue.

During his campaign Schwarzenegger was not afraid to flaunt his admiration for the gas-guzzling vehicles — he was, after all, the one who convinced General Motors it could market a civilian version of the military SUV 11 years ago.

But in an effort to prove he can own big cars and promote a clean environment too, Schwarzenegger declared he was converting one of his Hummers (he has five) to run on hydrogen, a much cleaner fuel than diesel or gasoline.

"I want to show them my car when it's done and inspire Detroit and let them know that this is what we can do," Schwarzenegger said at a campaign event in Carpinteria, Calif.

The Hummer has not yet been converted — and people from all parties in the country's most populous state are waiting — waiting to see if Schwarzenegger's fuel-hungry Hummer will run on hydrogen and, more importantly, waiting to see what the famous governor can get done as a Republican who purports to support both business and environmental issues.

How well he walks that line could have reverberations across the country.

"California has over 10 percent of the nation's population and with Schwarzenegger's celebrity status, people will be looking at the state more than ever," said Bill Allayaud, director of the California branch of the Sierra Club. "His policies may be magnified and could show the country what can be done. But it's too early to tell."