Here is a quick rundown:
This legislation claims to ensure that replacement tires be at least as fuel efficient as original equipment tires sold with new vehicles.
The Yuppie explanation:
Currently, almost all new cars sold in California come equipped with low-rolling resistance tires that boost each car's fuel economy rating. However, when California consumers purchase replacement tires for their cars, they are unaware that almost all aftermarket tires are not low-rolling resistance. As a result, once they change their tires, they unknowingly spend more money on gasoline, and their cars produce increased levels of pollution.
AB 844 directs the California Energy Commission to develop an efficiency program for replacement tires sold in California. The bill would ensure that replacement tires are at least as energy-efficient, on average, as the tires sold as original equipment on those vehicles and would include testing of replacement tires, consumer labeling and standards similar to the Energy Star program for appliances.
The supporters of this legislation claim it would:
<ul type="square"> [*]Reduce California's gasoline consumption by 300 million gallons per year. [*]Save a typical California driver $87.00 to $260.00 in fuel costs during a vehicle's lifetime. [*]Better inform consumers of the environmental impacts associated with new tire purchases. [/list]
This bill is supported by:
Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, American Lung Association, California League of Conservation Voters, Environment California, Union of Concerned Scientists, Coalition for Clean Air, Bluewater Network, and Planning and Conservation League support this bill.
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I don't live in California but all of you who DO live in California need to understand that this bill says two things about you:
1) You are an absolute MORON and you are not capable of making any type of informed decision when you make a purchase of consumable goods and you are not capable of seeking the advice of a professional.
2) You need to endanger yourself and your family by being forced to purchase hard compound tires that provide less traction in all situations in order to "save our planet".
This is just stupid. Any tire that is sold on a new car or truck in the US can be purchased from a tire store that carries the same brand. If we want to go out and purchase better tires that provide greater traction and handling based on the intended use of the vehicle, then why don't they want us to do that?
All of you folks in California need to gripe and moan to your representatives about this pack of crap.
