EPA message mixed on Clean Air Act dates.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to send a mixed message to states struggling to comply with federal clean air laws.

Sanctions against California for failure to meet a Nov. 15 Clean Air Act deadline were on again then off again in January. Shortly after it threatened to withhold as much as $800 million in federal highway funds, the agency relented and said it would not keep funds from the earthquake ravaged state. But unless California can work out a compromise on how it deals with certain EPA automobile exhaust testing rules, its highway funds could be in jeopardy next year. Thirty-eight states passed legislation last year to implement new federal requirements for automobile emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs to avoid such sanctions. However, many passed enabling legislation under protest, questioning the value of a new, expensive program of unknown effectiveness.

Believing the EPA sanctions were toothless, Louisiana legislators decided to stop implementation of the enhanced I/M program in affected areas of their state. And Louisiana Senator Joseph Sevario is heading a coalition of states that will seek amendment of the EPA's rules on the program. The group is committed to cutting air pollution, but wants to concentrate on more reasonable and cost-effective methods to accomplish the goals of the Clean Air Act...