German industry

[saggs]

That's an understatement.

The EPA needs to be de-cleated to about 50% of its workforce. Do what American companies are doing which is "Do more with less" (That's the new motto)

I'm all for abolishing the EPA, and the department of Education, and Labor.

All of these should be individual state issues/programs in my opinion.  The more centralized and bloated any agency becomes, the less effective it is for the people.

Personally I know 2 people at work who own VWs affected by the recall.  Neither of them plans to bring them in, because the "fix" means decreased fuel economy and power.

So the EPA will make VW be more environmentally friendly, by forcing them to make 400K some odd vehicles less fuel efficient. 

Gee... that makes perfect sense. 

[Karnak]

Man, you're all idiots.

Don't like the EPA, go live in New Delhi or Beijing.

[saggs]

Man, you're all idiots.

Don't like the EPA, go live in New Delhi or Beijing.

I'm quite happy in Alaska thank you.

I think you misunderstand me.  I'm an honest to goodness tree-hugger, really I am.  I have no problem with reasonable regulations to keep the environment clean.  Yet... ... I don't like the EPA, because they actually suck at what they are supposed to do, they are a bloated federal bureaucracy that can't even keep it's own responsibilities clean...  ahem*colorado river*  It should be up to each state to define what level and kind of regulation works best for them. 

In Alaska all the EPA does is tick people off because they are a bunch of desk jockeys from 5000 miles away who've never left the city and have no idea what works and what is needed here, yet they pass the regulations that we have to live with.  Seriously they are trying to ban some wood burning stoves in the borough I live in.  Guess what, winters up here are very long and very cold, and heating oil is very expensive.  People HAVE to burn wood up here just to survive.  Regulation of wood stoves in winter might work somewhere with mild winters, and cheap alternatives like parts of CA, NV, WA, UT...  but in interior AK the idea is asinine.  The more localized regulation is, the better it works.

They have a couple SUVs up here that drive around all winter taking air pollution measurements, so... they are combating pollution by... driving around all day. 

Trust me a bunch of suits in D.C. have no idea what life is really like here.  Let us regulate ourselves locally, it'll all work out.

[MiloMorai]

Their cars pass the EPA's tests, but the EPA says that's not good enough. The problem here is that the EPA doesn't build tests as well as VW builds cars. At the risk of leaning on my american militarisms to hard, it sound's like the EPA needs to work on their statement of the tasks, conditions, and standards.

The vehicles only pass because the emission software in the vehicle changes when the vehicle is being tested.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/consumers-blindsided-by-volkswagen-s-emissions-test-rigging-1.3237589

[Oldman731]

The vehicles only pass because the emission software in the vehicle changes when the vehicle is being tested.

Right.  This was a deliberate scheme to fool the testing devices.  VW isn't denying it.  Pretty shabby.

- oldman

[FLOOB]

I know. The objective is to pass the test, they passed. But I just read that the device they have installed is illegal in the US and Canada, so yeah they broke the rules in North America at least.

[Zoney]

Saggs, you folks in Alaska are not on your own planet.  What you do effects everyone on this one.  If you can't afford to heat your home using methods that don't foul the air, then move.

VW cheated and that cheating was a lie because they did not meet emission standards.  They chose that path, it was not a mistake it was intentional.  Now they will pay the price.

[Swoop]

South Park is sooooo gonna jump all over this one.

Repeat after me:  We misinterpreted the rules.

[Lusche]

I wonder when the next companies will have to admit they did something similar. Two days ago I heard a 'denial' by Herr Zetsche of Daimler Benz which was so weak and hedged I would not be surprised if something will surface there, too

[PJ_Godzilla]

Man, you're all idiots.

Don't like the EPA, go live in New Delhi or Beijing.

False dichotomy much?

I'll give you a better example of how the EPA fails in its primary mission. Consider that vehicles past a certain age are exempt from emissions regs yet emit at orders of magnitude greater than new production - and explicitly rejected curbside spectroscopy as a cost-effective means of monitoring "mega-emitters" (you've seen 'em on the road).

Why?

I have my own theories regarding the politics, lobbying, and entry barrier mechanics of this, but I'll leave you to your own conclusion

As for the diesel issue, yes, EPA is going to now investigate EVERYONE.

[HL117]

That's an understatement.

The EPA needs to be de-cleated to about 50% of its workforce. Do what American companies are doing which is "Do more with less" (That's the new motto)

Currently in the USA, there are 2 federal/state jobs to 1 manufacturing job. It's why we're quickly becoming a "service industry" country where minimum wage is king.

We will all be riding around on old Roketa scooters and rickshaws before we know it, guess it beats walking.

 

[ghi]

See Rule #14

[Zoney]

See Rule #14

[NatCigg]

I wan in!  Regulate wood burning stoves and maintain a flawed forest management plan.  One of your nasty fires puts out made than all Alaska humans surviving.  Makes me want to spit. Lol you sillys need a head check.  Put your neighbor out of work america! Make him move! Its all you can do in your brain washed state of mind. With your high speed internet access and 50 minute commutes!  Sad state were in where a grown man thing fine to walk on another Mans shrubbery. 

[saggs]

Just one example on how ridiculous and  incompetent the EPA is, they think they are above the law and your property rights don't matter.

Sackett v. EPA: How One Couple's Battle Against the Feds Might Protect Your Land

Back on the topic of VW diesels.  How come VW diesels are safe in Europe, but not in the USA?