Originally published July 26 2005
New York considers following in California's emissions footsteps
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Right now, no state has as strict emissions standards as California, but New York has proposed lowering acceptable emissions standards by 2009 with a regulation modeled after California's, the Poughkeepsie Journal reports.
Customers looking to purchase motor vehicles starting in 2009 may find many more environmentally friendly options, if a regulation proposed by the Department of Environment and Conservation is approved.
The department held a hearing Friday on a measure to require companies to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from cars and trucks they sell.
Modeled after California's emissions-cutting rules, the regulation would, starting in 2009, lower the cap on the levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide fleets of cars are allowed to emit.
Companies that do not meet these requirements would not be allowed to sell their cars in the state.
The goal of the regulation --- to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 30 percent in the next 10 years --- is a big one, considering New York is the 10th-largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world, an environmentalist said.
The state's cap on emissions is, with Gov.
"Adopting (these regulations) are a critical step" to lowering emissions.
Temperature increase may result in increased asthma levels, increases in diseases spread by insects and a shrinkage of forests, she said.
But car manufacturers oppose the regulation, saying the requirements will cut down on consumer choice and reduce jobs for American carmakers.
Because the regulations apply to a fleet of cars, she said, companies can choose to continue producing some cars with high emissions while lowering emissions on others.
Car companies can choose to cut emissions in several ways, including installing a better-quality air-conditioning unit, low-roll-resistant tires and a more fuel-efficient engine, she said.
Assemblyman Patrick Manning, R-East Fishkill, said he loves the fuel-efficient hybrid SUV he drives.
Others include New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Washington.
The regulation is in its public-comment period.
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