LA Times California officials Thursday abruptly halted a controversial effort to slash the carbon footprint of automobile air conditioning. "Cool car" rules would have required a clear reflective glaze on vehicle windows as a way to block excessive sunlight and heat. They were adopted in June by the state's Air Resources Board and were in the process of being finalized.
"Stakeholders raised several new issues involving performance of electronic devices as they may affect public safety," James N. Goldstene, the board's executive officer, announced. "After listening to this input and accounting for the legal deadline to finalize the rule, today we are announcing that the AB 32 'cool cars' rule-making will cease."
Spokesman Stanley Young said the board would now pursue "a performance-based approach," meaning that auto manufacturers would have to meet a standard for a specific drop in the interior temperature of vehicles, "but they are free to draw on any technology to achieve it. This could be through advanced windows that keep the sun's heat out, but also heat-reflecting paints, different upholstery, or even fans that circulate air and keep the car cool while it is standing in the sun." --Margot Roosevelt
