A measure included in the U.S. Senate’s newly-unveiled climate change bill, could clear the way for New York City and other metropolitan areas to require the conversion of taxi fleets to more environmentally friendly hybrid and electric vehicles.
The Green Taxis Act of 2009 would allow city governments to set fuel-economy and emissions standards for privately owned taxicabs.
Federal courts have twice ruled that New York City’s green taxi initiatives were illegal, because only the federal government is allowed to set vehicle standards.
According to a New York Times report, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg worked with the state’s junior Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, to craft the law and push it into the Senate climate package.
Parallel legislation reportedly will be introduced in the House by Representative Jerrold L. Nadler of Manhattan.
Boston, San Francisco, Seattle and other cities have also run into legal roadblocks in building green taxi fleets.
Read the full report at the link below.
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