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2002-08-02
One would think that when something expires, the previous
regulation would come back into force. I would only hope so.
But, there is again the possibility that the government
may just decide to grant TEA-21 an extension. Can they do that?
Even if there is an oversight and the metric provision
gets reinstated by default, does it then mean the old date becomes law again and
all states must virtually overnight convert? Or will a new deadline date
have to be added?
I feel that just reinstating a deadline is not
enough. The feds need to put more meat into the regulation. Then
need to require that not only Federal or state projects be done in metric, but
that metric be used at all levels, including county and city. All the way
down to the individual if need be. There has to be an all or none policy
or else you will have legitimate resistance. It will be hard on
contractors if they have to do some jobs in metric and some in FFU. If
everything relating to public works construction is required to be metric that
argument has no merit.
If I were to bet, I say the government would not
reinstate the deadline. That deadline was made when the economy was
booming. Now, any attempt to force metrication will be seen negatively as
many businesses struggle to survive and even a perceive cost to convert
over will not be accepted with open arms.
The only way I see metric action ever taking place
here is when Europe and the rest of the world shove it down our throats.
That may sound harsh to some, but it is the only way.
John
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- [USMA:21487] TEA-21 CarletonM
- kilopascal
