Posted on 01/22/2005 11:25:06 AM PST by Eva
Strict car emission rules look likely
By KYLE ARNOLD
OLYMPIA -- Washington is likely to join California and six other states in adopting tighter vehicle emissions standards, despite protests from auto dealers.
The proposal, which is drawing strong support in the Legislature, would require the state to adopt the tougher regulations starting in 2009. By 2016, all new cars sold in Washington would have to comply with the new standards, with proponents claiming that emissions would be reduced by 30 percent.
The rules would apply only to cars and light duty trucks.
The federal Clean Air Act allows states either to adopt the 1990 federal emissions standards or follow California's more stringent policy, adopted in September. Adopting California's standards would require that new cars emit 30 percent less carbon dioxide, 20 percent fewer toxic pollutants, and 15 to 20 percent fewer smog-causing pollutants as measured against the federal standards.
Greenhouse gases from car emissions are a major contributor to air pollution and are thought to be a major factor in global warming.
Washington auto dealers and other opponents of House Bill 1397 say the stricter standards would require costlier emissions systems, making cars more expensive and resulting in lost business for auto dealers.
"We intend to be a positive player in the discussions, and we applaud the efforts to fix this ... but we have raised serious concerns about how this legislation will work," said Vicki Giles Fabré, executive vice president for the Washington Auto Dealers Association, representing 337 dealers across the state.
Former Gov. Gary Locke introduced the proposal in December, and now Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, is sponsoring the legislation.
Gov. Christine Gregoire has not endorsed Locke's proposal, and a spokeswoman said the governor wouldn't comment until the Legislature approves a bill.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattlepi.nwsource.com ...
Thoughts?
Why should they care? Regardless of the types of cars on the road in WA, oil refiners will sell gasoline.
Oh, Eva....I'm so sorry this is happening. Regardless of a revote case outcome, she is clearly going to get this legislative session to work her evil. And Ed Murray in charge of transportation affairs? Gad, that man is so freako-whacko, he shouldn't even be school crossing guard.
Just buy your cars in NV, UT or ANY other state that OR, CA or WA! Better yet just move out of those 3 G*d forsaked Hellholes!
The reason that the oil refiners may support this legislation is that they will be able to make one formulation for the five states that they ship and reduce refining costs, increasing profits and prices. Northern Whatcom County already pays the highest prices in WA state despite the fact that the oil is refined right there. We pay at least twenty cents a gallon more than King County.
My husband's job is here, but we were just talking about moving to Wyoming when he retires.
Regardless, if this becomes a fact, it's bad news for Washington residents. Increasingly, the west coast is becoming its own niche automobile market. You can't bring in a vehicle from out of state without expensive modifications, and nobody east of you wants that crap on their cars, so the used market is affected as well.
And it's all done in some misguided belief that it makes any difference.
We have no state inspections, though. The reformulated gasoline is also a target of this legislation according to articles that I read this summer, predicting the legislation.
Sorry, my husband tells me that I am wrong about the inspections. Rural counties do not have them, but the more populace counties do.
Greenhouse gases are not pollutants anymore than oxygen is a pollutant.
America should have one standard for gasoline. It would end regional shortages when a local disruption occurs.
Imagine an America that had some regions running on 80 volt electricity, some on 120, others on 240, and some on 500 volts.
That's what we have in the gasoline market.
This is all about trying to enact the rules of the Kyoto treaty on a state level, without federal approval.
That's exactly what I was referring to, California formulation for everyone along with the higher prices and poor performance. The emission controls on CA cars wear out in a very short period and very expensive to replace and cause a lot of damage to the car before they go.
Oregon doesn't have the same regulations as CA and WA. Just the Portland area has smog checks, in the rest of the state you don't need any smog stuff on your car.
BUT you got that wierd no self service gas stations rule!
Thanks farm friend, this effects Oregon too, and Arizona.
The problem isn't so much with the oil companies as it is with their owners.
Is this going to be another fascist coalition of industry and leftist environmental interests like we saw with the electric companies and the damns?
Do you really have to ask?
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