HARTFORD, Conn. (March 2, 2006) — Three major tire and automotive aftermarket associations are voicing strong opposition to proposed legislation in Connecticut that would mandate a statewide program to ensure replacement tires for cars and light trucks are as fuel-efficient as original equipment tires.
The bill is similar but not identical to legislation that became law in California two years ago, and to a bill proposed but never passed in Massachusetts.
The California Energy Commission is already performing testing to judge the feasibility of a tire fuel efficiency standard, and the National Academy of Sciences report on the issue could be ready as early as next month, said a spokesman for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. “It makes no sense for Connecticut to repeat that effort, or—even worse—to come up with a parallel, similar bill that makes further demands on the tire industry,” the RMA spokesman said.
Also opposing the Connecticut bill are the Tire Industry Association and the Specialty Equipment Market Association.