Bloomberg Thwarted In Effort To Green NYC's Taxis

New York Times:

A federal judge dealt a blow on Friday to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's efforts to improve air quality in the city, blocking a rule that all new taxis must meet stringent fuel efficiency standards.

The rule, which was scheduled to take effect on Saturday, would have made it mandatory for most cabs to be hybrid gas-and-electric vehicles by 2012. In response to the judge's order, the city signaled that it would seek to achieve similar results by other means, perhaps by creating a system of incentives that would effectively push most cab owners to buy hybrid vehicles instead of the less fuel-efficient Ford Crown Victoria model that is the workhorse of today's taxi fleet.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[brooklynmark]

Yea I have been following this issue for months at http://www.YellowCabNYC.com

[InofTouch]

So the judge was in fear of the same standerds that Calfornia did in which it cost money to replace all

[asus389]

Why is a 25mpg standard only meetable by hybrids? There are plenty of cars that aren't hybrids that can get 25mpg... And how is it "dangerous" for passengers to be in a ford escape hybrid instead of a crown-vic? Escapes are pretty safe... And if they took all the crown vics off the road, it wouldn't be an issue anyways...

[Egalitare]

From a crash fatality standpoint, a LeCar would be as safe as a crown-vic in Manhattan. It's speed that makes crashes fatal.

Anyone ever been in a taxi in Manhattan that exceeded 40 mph?

[ramblingjohnny]

Seriously it would make sense for taxis operators just to save on gas when stuck in traffic. Do they even need a law for this all you need to do is show them their gas bill now and their gas bill after the switch!

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

I still can't believe we put these judges in for life. They can barely breathe, much less understand what is happening in society......... and the arrogance..... just plain makes me sick... especially YOU Scalia..... you've ruined our country.

We really need to change this whole judicial system thing. These old coots can't make sound decisions.... this anti-environment decision is an excellent example and argument to remove this judge. He is bad for the PLANET.

[Bettysdad]

They could mandate 12 gallon gas tanks.

[SeenItBefore]

It's most likely an old po.ot who has little or no understanding of the situation today concerning air quality. As a federal judge, he has a job for life, so it's probably a case of "Huh?" or, "What, me worry."

[Egalitare]

That's a pretty narrow intepretation from my very non-legal point of view. How is this different from any other requirements to operate a taxi in any large metro area?

As Kermit said, "it's not easy being green."

[mamacat]

So, for eight years, the federal government has been an obstacle to progress. If D.C. would lead on these efforts, instead of opposing them, city and states wouldn't have to keep trying to do so much to get improvements accomplished.

Please vote for Obama and the Democrats, so we can finally get something done about our energy issues.