Car-cooling glass OK'd, but pollution fee is put off

SACRAMENTO – The state Air Resources Board yesterday unanimously ordered automakers to gradually install sunlight-reflecting glass designed to keep cars cooler, improve gas mileage and help battle global warming.
By lowering interior temperatures, regulators said, motorists would not be as tempted to crank up their gas-gobbling air conditioners. In turn, that would save fuel and cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
But in a surprise move, the board postponed imposing the nation's first carbon fee on most industries that release greenhouse gases. Board members said they wanted to review a potential conflict with federal law.
The carbon fee would raise about $52 million a year initially, later dropping to $36 million, to cover administrative costs for the state's program to cut greenhouse gases. That plan would cost California households an estimated $4 a year if utilities, refineries and others passed along the fee, according to air board estimates.
The decision came after several electricity providers warned that California might inadvertently put a fee on energy that is moved through but not used in the state. That would violate federal energy laws.
“We don't want to proceed with anything until we're absolutely confident what we're doing will meet every legal and constitutional test,” said Mary Nichols, air board chairwoman.

To read full article, click here.

Air Pollution Control Systems
Your One-Stop Online Source
For anything and everything
About Air Pollution Control Systems