G. AIR QUALITY
We support the development of non-fossil-fuel and non-combustion methods of transportation.
- Air-quality and emissions standards should be tightened.
The number of pollutants monitored should be increased, as should air-quality testing.
Stiffer penalties and better-funded remedial programs should be established for violators.
- All discarded heating and cooling units should be collected in order to recover or destroy chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used as refrigerants or insulation.
Service and salvage operations for air conditioning units should be required to recover all CFCs.
- "Good Neighbor Agreements" should be promoted between industry and neighborhood groups.
These agreements encourage non-adversarial, non-regulatory meetings that promote the reduction of toxic emissions.
- North Carolina should require and promote the sale of low-emission vehicles:
- North Carolina should adopt the LEV II program, a low-emission vehicle standard currently used in other states that would dramatically reduce smog-forming emissions and cut pollution by 40 percent.
- To boost clean car technology and demonstrate the state's commitment to improved air quality, North Carolina should invest in clean cars for the state's vehicle needs.
- The state should provide tax incentives and rebates to encourage the purchase of low-emission vehicles.