calgov2002:
 calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register |
Posted on 07/22/2002 5:55:37 PM PDT by kattracks
California today became the first state in the nation to restrict automobile emissions of carbon dioxide, the same gas humans exhale.
"We Californians love our cars," Gov. Gray Davis said at a signing ceremony in Los Angeles. "Don't change our cars. Just change the amount of harmful emissions that come from our cars."
But the law will "change our cars." The auto industry pointed out, to no avail, that the measure would make cars even more expensive and pressure people to buy death traps they don't feel safe driving.
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers says the law will "greatly increase the costs of owning and driving vehicles." It points out that carbon dioxide "is an inert gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It does not cause smog. People expel CO2 when they exhale."
If you live in another state and think the law won't affect you, think again. California is by far the biggest consumer market in the U.S., and the law will have an effect on car production nationwide.
Legislators in New York and other states, especially in the Northeast, are already considering copying La-La Land, according to Reuters news service.
"This is the first law in America to substantively address the greatest environmental challenge of the 21st century," claimed Davis, who's fighting for re-election. "In time, every state, and hopefully every country, will act to protect future generations from the threat of global warming."
The law requires that the California Air Resources Board create standards in 2005 for the 2009 model year to enforce, vaguely, "the maximum feasible reduction" in carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
"Either the technology is being used or, if it is not being used, there's a very good reason," Eron Shosteck of Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers told the Contra Costa Times. "To believe any auto company is not using every technology conceivable is to believe that this industry is not fiercely competitive."
Automakers say that the legislation is meaningless because it will reduce "greenhouse gases" by less than 1 percent. They want to let voters decide if they really want to put their money where environmentalists' mouths are.
Self-styled "environmentalists" are delighted. "We can meet this challenge quickly once the auto company lobbyists step aside and let their engineers get to work," said David G. Hawkins of National Resource Defense Council.
Consumers will pay more because of added equipment and because there will be fewer autos available that meet the bureaucrats' regulations, the carmakers say.
"Gov. Davis has triggered government fiat that will curtail every Californian's right to choose the safest and most appropriate vehicle for themselves and their families," said William Fay, president of American Highway Users Alliance, an advocacy group for motorists.
The motorist group California Highway Users said: "There is no control mechanism that can be attached to a vehicle to reduce CO2. The only way to reduce CO2 emissions is to reduce fuel usage. Because lower- and middle-income Californians drive more and pay more in fuel taxes, punishing driving will hurt them the most. Their cars, trucks, mini-vans, SUVs and recreational vehicles improve their quality of life.
"Ironically, because of a precipitous decline in the number of Americans who car-pool over the last few decades, mini-van and SUV trips to soccer fields and other recreational activities now constitute the greatest source of car-pooling in the U.S. today.”
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Let me be the first to say it. "What an idiot."
The title is wrong. It should read:
California Makes California Less Affordable
Huh?
calgov2002:
|
calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register |
Completely clueless comment #2. This guy dosen't know jack about engineering, but he is confident they can do it, once they lobbyists step aside. Sheesh.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.