A Final Act of Idiocy?

[Jolly]

[LuFins Dad]

I’m not sure I understand how the Federal Government has the ability to allow or disallow the states the ability to decide their own regulations.

[George K]

@LuFins-Dad said in A Final Act of Idiocy?:

I’m not sure I understand how the Federal Government has the ability to allow or disallow the states the ability to decide their own regulations.

The same authority that they used to set a national speed limit of 55 mph: “ We will just stop your funding. “

[jon-nyc]

No, there’s a law from the 70s that says no state can enact tailpipe emissions standards tougher than the feds EXCEPT California. Others can choose to go along with California but can’t go their own way.

The law was designed to ensure we’re a single market for cars. The exception for California was either just politically necessary to get it to pass, or perhaps in recognition of how bad the smog in LA was at the time.

Either way it seems dated and should be done at federal level only.

[Mik]

Having lived in LA in the late 70s, that was one piece that really worked. The difference is immense.

[jon-nyc]

Yeah I’ve heard. I saw similar decrease in Mexico City from early 90s to now. It’s literally 90% cleaner

[Mik]

Oh yeah. In summer you did not see the San Gabriel mountains AT ALL, even though we lived on the upslope. Now it's clear as a bell.