Right Lane Cruiser
10-02-2009, 07:38 AM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Kerry pushes law that would give cities authority (http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/10/02/us_bill_could_pave_way_for_hybrid_taxi_fleets/)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_Toyota_Camry_Hybrid_Taxi.jpgBOSTON (http://www.boston.com) - October 2, 2009
Will it make it through to actual legislation this time? --Ed.
A bill before Congress would give local governments the authority to set fuel efficiency standards for taxicabs, allowing cities like Boston to overcome federal court rulings that struck down their ambitious efforts to require all taxis to be hybrids.
The Green Taxis Act of 2009, part of an overall climate change bill introduced Wednesday in part by Senator John F. Kerry, would amend existing federal laws so that cities such as Boston, New York, and Seattle, which have failed in previous attempts, could require taxis to be hybrid.
Federal courts have struck down those attempts, saying cities infringed on the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, which authorizes the federal government to establish fuel economy standards for vehicles and forbids local officials from setting their own standards.
States can petition federal regulators for exemptions from the law.
But the Green Taxis Act, an amendment to the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act and the federal Clean Air Act, would allow cities and towns to decide on their own, based on their own needs and policies.
“This legislation will help empower cities and towns across the nation, including Boston, to improve air quality, lower carbon emissions, and save... http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/10/02/us_bill_could_pave_way_for_hybrid_taxi_fleets/
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_Toyota_Camry_Hybrid_Taxi.jpgBOSTON (http://www.boston.com) - October 2, 2009
Will it make it through to actual legislation this time? --Ed.
A bill before Congress would give local governments the authority to set fuel efficiency standards for taxicabs, allowing cities like Boston to overcome federal court rulings that struck down their ambitious efforts to require all taxis to be hybrids.
The Green Taxis Act of 2009, part of an overall climate change bill introduced Wednesday in part by Senator John F. Kerry, would amend existing federal laws so that cities such as Boston, New York, and Seattle, which have failed in previous attempts, could require taxis to be hybrid.
Federal courts have struck down those attempts, saying cities infringed on the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, which authorizes the federal government to establish fuel economy standards for vehicles and forbids local officials from setting their own standards.
States can petition federal regulators for exemptions from the law.
But the Green Taxis Act, an amendment to the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act and the federal Clean Air Act, would allow cities and towns to decide on their own, based on their own needs and policies.
“This legislation will help empower cities and towns across the nation, including Boston, to improve air quality, lower carbon emissions, and save... http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/10/02/us_bill_could_pave_way_for_hybrid_taxi_fleets/