View Single Post
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 29th-September-2004, 11:53 AM
MarkuisMellvile's Avatar
MarkuisMellvile MarkuisMellvile is offline
Forum Royalty
Points: 10,931, Level: 69 Points: 10,931, Level: 69 Points: 10,931, Level: 69
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 2,620
MarkuisMellvile will become famous soon enough
Default US Pollution control legislation

The US, and California in particular, have had relatively draconian laws on emissions for many years, but they haven't been designed or planned well.

It is great to see Cal taking a lead again on this issue, and the new regs do seem fair to me.

As a brit who has visited the state (and 1% of global CO2 from one state is a large contribution IMO), the smog over LA is horrible, but understandable from its proximity to the ocean, large urban sprawl requiring large car usage (public transport hasn't been adopted widely) and the lifestyle and work patterns.

2016 is far enough away that the auto industry can meet the targets. $3000 is a large price tag for many Californians (£1765 at current rates), but the US motor market is used to cheap fuel and vehicles so this merely brings their prices up to international standards.

Good move California. I hope it works as the board hope it will. Previous legislation has often saved costs, with the beneficial side effect of environmental improvement, so this measure specifying that the objective is pollution control is a step forward in itsself!
Reply With Quote