Technology
exists now to cut greenhouse gases
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- The technology already
exists to cut vehicles' greenhouse gases
sharply as required by a precedent-setting
California law, the Union of Concerned Scientists
said Monday.
The
2002 law requires the state to set the world's
first regulations to trim vehicles' global
warming emissions.
Without
them, the group said carbon dioxide emissions
will nearly double by 2040, trapping heat
in the atmosphere and helping cause a steady
rise in global temperatures.
The
group concludes that ''automakers have the
technology now to meet strong global warming
pollution standards, just as they have met
past standards for other air pollutants
or safety.''
Alliance
of Automobile Manufacturers spokesman Charles
Territo objected that ''federal law and
common sense'' dictate that such standards
should be set nationally, presaging another
battle over California's efforts.
Consumers
themselves have largely rejected the technology
the auto industry has spent billions of
dollars to invent, Territo added.
Less
than 2 percent of sales are vehicles that
get more than 30 miles per gallon, he said,
while 52 percent of California sales last
years were higher polluting light trucks.
The
California Air Resources Board holds its
first meeting on the pending regulations
Tuesday, with a draft regulation expected
next month and a decision this fall.
The
Union expects the California decision to
help set a worldwide standard, as have the
state's previous efforts.
While
there may be debate over the legality of
California's regulations, ''the auto industry's
own consultants acknowledge that the technology
exists to cut global warming pollution substantially
while cutting prices at the pump,'' said
Roland Hwang of the Natural Resources Defense
Council.
The
Union said that for about $600 a vehicle,
existing technology could cut emissions
by one-fifth.
Adopting
advances expected within the next five years
could mean reductions of 40 percent, and
should also be required by the state, the
group urged.
''Californians
are going to continue to drive the cars
that they know and love, they will just
have a smaller impact on the environment
and their pocketbooks,'' wrote Louise Bedsworth,
the report's author.
The
report envisions a new fleet of vehicles
combining the best technology from existing
automobiles: Honda's variable valve lift
and timing advances; continuously variable
transmissions from the Saturn Ion, Nissan
Murano, and the Mini Cooper; and cylinder
deactivation now available through DaimlerChrysler
and General Motors.
Putting
all that technology into a Ford Explorer
would cut emissions by nearly a quarter;
in a Toyota Camry, by 20 percent, the group
calculated.
Within
five years, automakers will be using more
advanced technology that could cut emissions
of a Ford Explorer by 43 percent and a Camry
by 40 percent, the group said.
The
report comes a day before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
is expected to announce a task force to
develop his ''hydrogen highway'' program.
He
has pledged to build hydrogen fueling stations
every 20 miles along major highways by 2010,
allowing motorists to buy clean-burning
hydrogen-fueled vehicles without fear they
will run out of gas.
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