US Senate panel blocks California emissions plan

[Judi Lynn]

US Senate panel blocks California emissions plan


USA: September 8, 2003


WASHINGTON - A U.S. Senate panel approved legislation that would block California from setting new air pollution standards for the engines which power lawn mowers, generators, pumps and many other small machines.

The Senate Appropriations Committee included the provision in a must-pass $90 billion annual spending bill funding U.S. housing and veterans' programs as well as federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency.
It voted 16-12 to reject an effort by California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein to strip the restriction from the bill.

California has proposed new emissions standards for small lawn and garden engines that would likely require the use of catalytic converters like those required for most vehicles.

Feinstein said blocking those standards would be a "mortal blow" to the state's efforts to comply with federal clean air requirements, possibly jeopardizing government grants worth $2.4 billion a year.
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