EVLN(Automakers have tied up EV legislation in the courts)
[The Internet Electric Vehicle List News. For Public EV
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--- {EVangel}
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/news/4207123.htm
Friday, Oct 04, 2002 News
Posted on Thu, Oct. 03, 2002
High ozone levels plateau in inland California
LAURA WIDES Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES - Ozone pollution increased or remained stagnant
through much of California's inland valleys during the
summer of 2002 as compared to the previous year, according
to a state board that regulates air quality.
Experts at the California Air Resources Board say population
growth and development may have slowed a positive trend in
air quality gains. Over the last 20 years, the state's ozone
levels had dropped 40 percent, due mostly to stricter
industry regulations. But in the last three years they have
improved little.
Ozone levels were collected through September 2002.
"You're constantly throwing more people, more automobiles,
and more industry into this situation," said board spokesman
Richard Varenchik. "If we don't keep looking for ways to
continue to make reductions in ozone emissions, you could
start to see backsliding."
But environmentalists say officials have followed population
trends for years and shouldn't be surprised by continued
growth. They say the state needs stricter vehicle emissions
standards.
Vehicles are responsible for about three quarters of the
smog that causes dangerous ozone levels in the state.
California has passed tough regulations to force the
automakers to produce cars and buses that run on electric,
but the industry has tied up that legislation in the courts.
Whether one suffers from high ozone levels - irritated eyes,
coughing, wheezing and permanent lung damage in some cases -
depends on geography, said Varenchik.
"We have these mountainous valleys, and you get hot stagnant
air. In the summer you've got the situation like a big hot
kettle with a lid on top and the pollutants pouring in."
In coastal areas with cooler temperatures, such as Monterey,
Santa Barbara and San Diego, ozone levels met federal health
standards virtually throughout the summer, according to the
ARB.
But in the San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento regions, the
number of days when ozone levels exceeded health standards
increased. San Joaquin had 32 days over the standard, up
from 30 days in 2001. Sacramento jumped to nine days in
2002, up from two days in 2001.
And in the South Coast region, an area that covers Los
Angeles and includes nearly half the state's population, the
number of days exceeding the health limit hovered around 40
for the second year in a row.
Southern California air quality officials say the lack of
change is due to unusual weather patterns and widespread
wild fires.
But there's still much to be done, said Tim Carmichael of
the environmental watchdog Coalition for Clean Air.
"We're going to have to break some of our habits," said
Carmichael, "including the types of vehicles we drive, how
many vehicles we drive, and the amount of electricity we use
in our homes and offices."
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. http://geocities.com/brucedp
. EV List Editor & RE newswires
. (originator of the above EV ascci art)
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