California is continuing to set the pace for emissions legislation in the US, with the National Research Council (NRC) endorsing its latest efforts to tighten the rules governing exhausts.

The largest state in the US has long been seen as a leader in the development of emissions standards, largely as a result of its ability to set its own rules in response to the pollution problem faced by Los Angeles and other large cities in the 1970s.

However, it has faced increasing pressure of late from automotive firms and other industry players to ease up on its regulations, with some calling for Congress to inhibit California's autonomy.

A bill introduced in 2003 by Missouri's Republican senator Kit Bond urged the NRC to examine the costs of California's legislative programme with respect to emissions and to publish its findings.

Mr Bond, whose state includes a number of small engine manufacturers, also claimed that catalytic converters could be a safety problem.

Now the NRC has given its full backing to California's role as trend setter in emissions standard, backing its development of tougher rules.

"California should continue its pioneering role in setting mobile-source emissions standards," the panel said.

"The role will aid the state's effort to achieve air quality goals and will allow it to continue to be a proving ground for new emissions-control technologies that benefit California and the rest of the nation."

The NRC is a private institution which can provide Congress with independent data on scientific and technical subjects to help determine decisions in niche areas.


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