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Federal Judge Rejects Boston Low-Emission Plan

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Aug 14, 2009 7:49 pm US/Eastern

Federal Judge Rejects Boston Low-Emission Plan

BOSTON (AP) ―

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A federal judge has banned Boston authorities from forcing taxi drivers to buy new hybrid vehicles by 2015, saying the program violates a federal law.

U.S. District Judge William Young on Friday ordered Boston city officials and its police chief to permanently stop implementing the initiative because it is pre-empted by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975. The law bans local regulations related to fuel economy standards or average fuel economy standards for vehicles.

Last month, the court granted the request for a temporary injunction after the city refused his request to voluntarily halt the plan while he weighed his decision on the legality of the rules.
An attorney for Boston Taxi Owners Association says he hopes authorities will find a more acceptable way to improve fuel economy for taxis.

The city is reviewing the ruling.