New York State considers adopting new emission standards

According to this press release New York state is again considering adopting California style vehicle emissions standards.

New York first adopted the California Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) program in the early 1990s, and has continued to follow the cleaner LEV program as it has evolved.

The regulation mandates new vehicle certification levels for all passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles starting with the 2009 model year. Manufacturers of all 2009 and later model year vehicles will be required to meet a fleet average standard that becomes more stringent each year through 2016. The fleet average standard is the emissions standard that a manufacturer's average emissions must meet for its entire product line. There is one standard for passenger cars and the lightest trucks, sport utility vehicles, and minivans; and another standard for heavier trucks and SUVs.

Given the problems that California has been having over the years I'd be hesitant to do anything the way it's done in California. But New York has been following the California guidelines for a few years now and things haven't fallen apart. What do you think? Is this a good idea or a bad idea?

New Yorkers can comment on the proposed regulation until 5:00 pm on July 15, 2005. See here for more technical gobolygook, public hearing dates, and contact information.