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THE DRIVING FORCE: NEW YORK GREENHOUSE GAS BILL

This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!

Published on Fri, Apr 18, 2003

By: The LACar Editorial Staff

THE DRIVING FORCE: NEW YORK GREENHOUSE GAS BILL

By Contributing Editor BRIAN CAULDILL

Following California's lead, the New York Assembly has introduced legislation (A.B. 11895) to require the Department of Environmental Conservation to regulate "greenhouse" gas (GHG) emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2). The bill provides that the regulations must be consistent with California's laws and regulations and will apply to 2009 model year and later vehicles. The new California law prohibits regulators from reducing speed limits, restricting vehicle size or imposing new taxes or fees, but is still little more than a back-door effort by environmentalists to set fuel-economy standards - an authority exclusively reserved to the Federal government. Because CO2 is given off whenever gasoline is burned, the only way to cut emissions is to make vehicles that burn less gasoline or vehicles driven by electricity or other means. This bill represents bad public policy.

Contact Your State Legislators Immediately Requesting They Oppose the Bill

A.B. 11895 amounts to an illegal state effort to regulate fuel economy, and contradicts Federal government policy in opposition to dramatic increases to CAFE standards.

A.B. 11895 will result in the downsizing of cars and light trucks, limiting vehicle choice and increasing costs.

A.B. 11895 could cause other states to follow California and New York's misguided efforts in setting unreasonable emissions rules on vehicles.

A.B. 11895 could limit the sale and use of performance-related specialty automotive parts that enhance performance, towing, hill-climbing ability, etc.

Contact your state legislators to oppose this legislation. If you need assistance in determining who your legislators are, please contact the New York Legislature's General Information line: 518/455-4100. This information can also be obtained by calling the SEMA Washington, D.C. office at 202/783-6007 ext. 39 or you can access this information via the Internet at www.enjoythedrive.com/leg...lator.asp.

Please fax a copy of your letters to us at 202/783-6024 or mail to: SEMA Washington Office 1317 F St., NW, Ste. 500 Washington, D.C. 20004

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