Sens. Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.) and Bob Smith (R-N.H.) have agreed to work together on legislation to force utility companies to reduce carbon emissions. Jeffords said the committee will move a four-pollutant bill including carbon dioxide. The two senators will hold meetings with industry, interest groups and government officials to determine the best way for the power industry to reduce its carbon emissions.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed an unprecedented off-road emissions rule that addresses emissions from snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and construction equipment. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rejected the EPA's authority to issue this rule. The OMB says the EPA should evaluate other levels of stringency for emissions standards. The EPA estimates the compliance costs to the industry if the rule is implemented will be $50 to $200 per snowmobile engine, $100 per all-terrain vehicle and $600 per personal watercraft. The OMB also feels the EPA did not evaluate the heightened costs to consumers if the rule is put into effect.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has updated its Green Vehicle Guide Web site to include 2002 model year vehicles.
The guide features the emissions and fuel economy of recent model year cars and trucks and ranks them against others in their class. The guide is available online at www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.
A study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests changes to the clean air requirements for reformulated gasoline. According to the study, if the federal government doesn't make changes to the program, the long-term effects could include rising prices and supply problems. One temporary solution might be the EPA's proposed new regulatory methods to lengthen the change in summertime to wintertime blends. The report also states the EPA supports the reformulated gasoline program that was changed from several fuels to three or four nationwide. The EPA also encourages a move away from dependence on methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a controversial fuel additive that contaminates groundwater.
A study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute reveals the average annual traffic delay per person was 36 hours in 1999. For Los Angeles, that figure increases to 56 hours per person. Traffic congestion uses up 55 gallons of gasoline per person per year and costs an average of $630 in wasted time and fuel. Some states are conducting tests to see if charging fees
for using roadways during peak hours might be beneficial. The fees range from 50 cents to $4.
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AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XLIX, December 2001
E-mail: info@autoinc.org, Web Site: http://www.autoinc.org
Copyright © 2001 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.