The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a plan by 12 northeastern states and the District of Columbia (the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC)) to improve air quality under the Clean Air Act. The plan allows the OTC to establish an alternative-fuel vehicle program fashioned after California's, beginning in model year 1999, or to choose other measures that would provide equivalent pollution reductions. The OTC plan envisions the sale of certain advanced technology vehicles that reduce pollution by more than 70 percent. (The OTC petition did not request an EPA mandate on electric car sales.)
EPA administrator Carol M. Browner announced that the OTC and the auto industry would work toward an alternative agreement that would bring alternative-fueled vehicles to every state. If enacted, this broader plan would supplant the OTC plan. Browner noted EPA will not approve a 49-state plan until it has taken comments from all parties, including non-OTC states. Browner said several non-OTC states already have voiced strong support for a broad agreement. .R2
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