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| California Sets Tough New Global-Warming Agenda.
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5/10/04 |
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California's attempts to introduce some of the toughest car emission standards in the world look set to place it on a collision course with the Federal government which claims the sole prerogative in such matters.
The State has announced plans to force a 30% reduction in the emission of so-called greenhouse gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, beginning in 2009. Vehicle manufacturers hoping to sell their products in the State will have to have achieved the new targets by 2016 according to reports from the Associated Press. But opposition looks likely not only from the automobile industry who fear the consequences of such a draconian measure will be to add an average $US 3,000 to the cost of each new vehicle, but from a nervous Washington who see such action as leading rapidly to other States. Industry analysts have already predicted that if California can withstand the probable legal challenges to its moves, the result will be to force a nationwide increase in fuel economy.
As if to confirm this view, a further seven North-eastern US States are understood to have intimated that they intend to follow California's example
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