Maryland motorists are being squeezed from all sides by government in the campaign for cleaner air, and the financial pinch is only just beginning.
Reformulated, cleaner-burning gasoline will be sold starting next month, which will increase the price per gallon by nearly a dime. For two years already, Marylanders have been paying more for cold-weather fuel to reduce carbon monoxide.
Next month also brings the requirement for most Maryland autos to go through a stricter pollution emissions inspection every two years, costing twice the current fee and, for roughly 20 percent of autos tested, requiring repairs of about $250.
Now the federal Environmental Protection Agency says it will require sale of California-style autos in this state by 1998, a decision that could jack up the cost of a new car here by some $2,800.
As an alternative, the auto industry wants to sell a car for the entire U.S. (except California) that would be virtually equal in cutting polluting exhausts but would cost $2,000 less. But officials of Maryland and 11 other Northeast states insist California's rules are the only way to drive, a safety net for failures of other antismog programs. Never mind the steep cost to consumers, and the expectation these new cars will be only marginally cleaner than the 49-state car proposed by automakers.
EPA still offers the prospect of compromise in the next few weeks, considering the 49-state approach if automakers will sell some natural-gas-powered cars in the Northeast.
The agency recently loosened its original emission inspection program requirements. Other states took the lead in arguing for rule relaxation and Maryland, which is spending $46 million for 19 test stations, went along to ease some requirements that won't effect pollution reduction goals.
Central Maryland ranks sixth in the U.S. in number of harmful ozone-pollution days, which can cause respiratory problems in some people, so there is a need for cleaner auto emissions. But the number of harmful days has been steadily dropping -- without the impact of these costly measures for state motorists.
We urge EPA to accept the 49-state car, which will reduce smog here and everywhere in the U.S. without further burdening Maryland motorists inequitably. That move would also help EPA in fending off threats by the new Republican Congress to gut the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments.