Mar 06 2009
California as Emissions Model for Iowa?
Iowa should limit vehicle pollution like California does, said a lawmaker who has proposed sweeping, controversial environmental regulations. Rep. Nathan Reichert, D-Muscatine, has proposed House File 422 which would require the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission to set emissions standards for most passenger vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year.
The standards would be based on a law in California that requires tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases from cars and light trucks to be cut 22 percent by 2012 and 30 percent by 2016.
The cost of compliance is estimated at $1,000 to $3,000 more per vehicle, based upon figures from California’s environmental protection agency and the auto industry.
Increasing the cost of new cars by $3000 sounds like a fantastic idea when the auto industry is on the brink of bankruptcy. Auto dealers from all of Iowa’s border states are reported to be thrilled with the idea.
