Cart Before the Horse
By CAR lobbyist Jeremy Cottrell
The discussion has begun on
whether Colorado will join 11 other states in adopting more stringent greenhouse
and emissions laws than are federally mandated. Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald
and House Speaker Andrew Romanoff recently offered testimony to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency urging a reduction by as much as 30 percent of
carbon dioxide and overall emissions beginning with the 2009 auto model year.
California, the first state in the union to adopt such standards, has created a wake for other states to join. In 2002, California passed its emissions and greenhouse laws as a direct result of having the nation’s worst air quality level. In doing so, they now require different equipment on all motor vehicles entering their state in order to meet their unique standards.
Currently, energy bills in both the houses of the U.S. Congress are seeking to address creation of a national set of standards, outlining carbon dioxide and emission levels for the immediate and long-term future. While aggressive, according to those within the auto industry, these standards may be more reasonable in nature than risking what could be adopted by a growing number of states seeking to lead the way in the green revolution. Many manufacturers may be far better off in coping with one federal law than in fighting and dealing with the complications of multiple states, each weighing in on their unique positions for regarding the issues. Any federal legislation that is enacted should preempt or supersede state legislation on the matter. Federal legislation is superior in any field in which situations are apparent that the federal government would provide the national standard.
Even still, the proposed federal legislation could effectively change what many mainstream manufacturers would produce and offer to the public. One requirement calls for an average 35 mpg for an entire manufacturer’s line of automotive products, essentially requiring a small compact/hybrid vehicle to be produced for every large truck or SUV.
Certain highline brands would simply be forced to pay the penalties involved for not meeting these standards, such as Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Rolls Royce. In these instances the manufacturers cater to a demographic not solely concerned with fuel efficiency and pass the fines onto their consumers in the form of a higher sticker price. Though, at some point these costs may discourage even those select groups from purchasing these vehicles. Ultimately this could result in a mass departure of high-end luxury auto manufacturers from attempting to sell within the United States.
While there is resistance to such drastic emissions and carbon dioxide law changes, it appears as though some adjustment is inevitable. The focus should now be in arriving at a responsible and doable compromise. Currently the options include:
It seems the lesser of two evils to support a universally backed single set of nation-wide federal standards.