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Stretching the limits

  • 14/07/2003

The United States Supreme Court will decide soon whether Los Angeles and other California counties can go beyond the federal Clean Air Act to impose tougher emission norms for city buses, airport shuttles, taxis and other vehicles. The court has agreed to hear an appeal from oil companies and diesel engine manufacturers, who claim that rules imposed by Los Angeles' authorities conflict with national vehicle emission standards. They argue that the national act takes precedence over local rules for new car emissions. The case has been filed against the South Coast Air Quality Management District by the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA).

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