Word: smog
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Usually, when the problems of U.S. cities are discussed, the focus is on older places -- New York City or Detroit or Chicago. Los Angeles was always, well, Lotusville. With the Watts riots of 1965 quite forgotten by most, if L.A. had a real problem (besides freeway traffic and smog), it was how to protect pedestrians from the roller skaters at Venice Beach. Now the world knows better. L.A. is what lies in store for everyone, unless Americans stop wishing on a star...
Ford did its share to reduce smog in the Golden State as it unveiled two models that will exceed the first stage of the state's stringent new clean-air code. By improving the catalytic converters in their subcompacts, Ford beat the clock on the tougher standards by four years. Research also continues on vehicles fueled by natural gas and flexible mixtures of up to 85% methanol and gasoline. As a result, car buyers are soon going to face choices much more complicated than merely deciding whether to buy their favorite sedan in green...
...dioxide emissions from electric power plants in the Midwest, California's Regional Clean Air Incentives Market program (RECLAIM) is the most ambitious attempt so far to cut urban air pollution. Under the plan, businesses will be issued shares in the region's overall emissions, and together they must reduce smog-forming hydrocarbons by 5.8% a year, nitrogen oxides by 8% and sulfur dioxide by 8.5%. Companies that exceed the reductions can sell emission "credits" to other firms. The market covers 2,800 businesses that account for one-fourth of the pollution in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties...
Proponents estimate that treating smog as a commodity will save businesses almost half a billion dollars a year in smog controls while enabling them to cut emissions. Critics of the policy warn that inadequate monitoring and enforcement could undermine the region's goal of achieving clean air by 2010. But they approve of the innovative approach. Trading is expected to begin next year...
...against smog may soon get a new high-tech weapon. A device being tested in Provo, Utah, uses an infrared beam, computer software and a video camera to add up the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons billowing from the tail pipes of passing cars -- and to automatically record their license numbers...