AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STATE TO CLEAN ITS AIR

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 30, 1992                   TAG: 9201300403
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STATE TO CLEAN ITS AIR
VIRGINIA'S General Assembly has the opportunity this session to enact a measure that will substantially clean the commonwealth's air.
Because vehicles account for more than half of Virginia's ozone problem, the federal Clean Air Act specifies that the state act to reduce vehicle emissions. The choices are either a federal program or a low-emission-vehicle program based on California's successful model. The American Lung Association favors the latter.
While the federal program will reduce emissions, it will not ensure that Virginia meets the emissions standards set by the Clean Air Act. This California program will ensure that all of Virginia falls within the standards, even accounting for inevitable population and economic growth.
Should Virginia fail to conform to the standards, the federal government will intervene and develop a program that will ensure the commonwealth's compliance. Virginia may also lose vital federal highway funds as a penalty. And while we may have differing opinions on anything developed outside of Virginia, I would argue that no one wants more federal regulations.
A federally developed program would most likely focus on small businesses and industry. Further regulations on this sector will lead to increased failed small businesses and higher prices to consumers.
For years, business and industry have paid to clean the air we all breathe. Now, it's our turn. Both the federal and low-emission-vehicle programs will increase the cost of an automobile. According to the California Air Resources Board, an LEV program like that state's will add $70 to $170 per car. The miles-per-gallon average of these vehicles will be comparable to the rest of the fleet.
Of course the automobile industry is complaining, just as it complained over air bags and seat belts. If all cars in a dealer's fleet are designed to meet the LEV standards, and all dealers in Virginia are required to sell these cars, the status quo will remain and the market will be driven by the forces of economics.
More than 4 million Virginians are exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution each year. For those of us in good health, the result is mild irritation that we can't exercise when we might want. To the almost 600,000 adults and children in Virginia who suffer from chronic lung disease, clean air is imperative.
JANICE M. CASTLE President, Roanoke Region American Lung Association of Virginia ROANOKE

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB