Question for those here in the States

[Mercedes Benzene]

I was hoping someone could explain this to me:

I've noticed that California has strict(er) regulation of pollution and car-exaust output than anywhere else in the US. Explanation?

ALSO:

Often times, if you look at some warning labels on bottles and on signs at gas pumps, you'll read something that says,
"This substance contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer" (or something along those lines). When I was a little kid I used to chuckle and say to myself, "Is it not known in any of the other 49 states to cause cancer?"

Can someone please explain: What makes Cali so damn special?

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Benzene

Can someone please explain: What makes Cali so damn special?

Quite simply, their population uses their votes to express what they want as a people. If the people want it, they vote for it (or vote for people who will fight for it), and California wants health. They want cars that pollute less. They want chemicals which have even the slightest hint of being harmful completely removed from products. That sort of thing... The rest of the US wants guns, and laws banning abortion and gay marriage.


That's what makes Cali so damned special.

Oh, that and hot chicks are like a dime a dozen.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

Quite simply, their population uses their votes to express what they want as a people. If the people want it, they vote for it (or vote for people who will fight for it), and California wants health. They want cars that pollute less. They want chemicals which have even the slightest hint of being harmful completely removed from products. That sort of thing... The rest of the US wants guns, and laws banning abortion and gay marriage.

I agree with all, except the guns bit. California does not have particularly stringent gun control. >>> What Are the Gun Laws in California?

Originally Posted by Mercedes

Often times, if you look at some warning labels on bottles and on signs at gas pumps, you'll read something that says,
"This substance contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer" (or something along those lines). When I was a little kid I used to chuckle and say to myself, "Is it not known in any of the other 49 states to cause cancer?"

Can someone please explain: What makes Cali so damn special?

Since California requires certain labeling, it is easier & cheaper for manufacturers to put it on all packaging whether it's shipped to California or not.

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Benzene

I was hoping someone could explain this to me:

I've noticed that California has strict(er) regulation of pollution and car-exaust output than anywhere else in the US. Explanation?

ALSO:

Often times, if you look at some warning labels on bottles and on signs at gas pumps, you'll read something that says,
"This substance contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer" (or something along those lines). When I was a little kid I used to chuckle and say to myself, "Is it not known in any of the other 49 states to cause cancer?"

Can someone please explain: What makes Cali so damn special?

Simply put, smog and california weather patterns. Heres some history on some of the issues california is trying to address:

NOW with Bill Moyers. Science & Health. Deadly Smog - Overview | PBS

Background Material: California's Air Quality History Key Events

[TheBigDog]

InNow is right. It is about how they have chosen to govern themselves. Most of what you are talking about is related to CARB, a department of the state government. They have a big enough market to dictate emissions requirements to the car companies. Many states have fuel labeling requirements. It should be noted that some car companies chose to leave the US market partly because of the CARB requirements for California. I think that played a role in Fiat, Peugeot, and Renault all leaving the US.

Bill

[Mercedes Benzene]

I think that played a role in Fiat, Peugeot, and Renault all leaving the US.

Fiat is bringing their cars back to the American market though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ::eeeek::

But yes I suppose you all are right. I just find it odd that Cali would be the ONLY state to impliment such harsh regulations.

[pgrmdave]

You have to remember, each state is, within its own borders, like a nation. We are a federation of 50 independant states (and washington D.C.), and thus we have a lot of indepentant powers that there are no federal laws for. (well, that's the ideal. In reality, the federal government tries to supersede states' rights and often does)

This means that each state has its own quirks and peculiarities. For example, I'm not legally allowed to pump my own gas in NJ. There are different laws state-by-state on things like driving age, marriage laws, and all that sorts of things that the federal government doesn't control. Many laws that seem nationwide aren't, like the drinking age, which is state by state, but every state has it at 21. California tends to be more liberal than most other states with regard to public safety laws (pollution and public health being two of the more obvious ones).

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by TheBigDog

InNow is right.

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

hot chicks are like a dime a dozen.

AMEN!

[Ganoderma]

does anyone have any info on GMC's law suite against the state of california years back? i remember reading a book about that and others, but totally forgot what book and all the details.