[TR] emission standards?

[Joe Curry]

I am thinking that anyone who fears that our cars will be legislated out of
existence is being overly paranoid.  If there were no emissions standards in
existence when the cars were built, the politicians cannot come up with new
emissions standards for them.  It is an example of an "ex post facto" law
which in our country is illegal.

 

However, if your car is new enough and there were emissions laws in
existence when it was built, states can and might start applying those
standards in existence at the time the car was sold.

 

I am no lawyer but I certainly don't think that most of us have anything to
worry about.

 

Joe C.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Randall
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 12:16 PM
To: 'list Triumph'
Subject: Re: [TR] emission standards?

 

> It is unfortunate, but ...

> didn't some state bar old cars because of their emissons?

 

Not that I have heard of.  The topic has come up, maybe even a few bills

introduced, but nothing substantial has passed.  CA can't even pass a bill

to make old cars subject to smog inspection (against standards they should

reasonably be able to meet).

 

> Obama isn't thinking about this, is he?

 

Hard to say what he is thinking (there's a straight line for all you pundits

out there); but again I've not heard any mention of it.  What he is trying

to do is both stiffen the fuel economy standards (aka greenhouse gas

emissions) for new cars; and allow states like California to set their own

standards.

 

(Soapbox alert) Seems to me that they are going about it all wrong.  What we

ought to do is classify anything over 5 ft high as a "truck", and limit them

to driving 55 in the right hand lane.

 

Or better yet, take the European approach, and tax gasoline up to about

$8/gallon.  That would do WONDERS for our foreign oil consumption (which is

what Obama is really trying to reduce).  Might help the deficit, too.

(Disclaimer: the above opinions void where not prohibited)

 

Randall