U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Crotty ruled that New York City’s attempts to force taxicab owners to buy fuel-efficient hybrid taxicabs were preempted by federal law. While the judge praised the city’s efforts, he cautioned against interfering with the exclusive jurisdiction of Congress to legislate mileage and emissions standards.
Last October, regulations requiring taxicabs to be fuel-efficient by 2012 were also invalidated due to being pre-empted by federal jurisdiction. The latest attempt by the city would have allowed cab companies to charge higher rental rates to drivers of hybrid cars, while rental rates would decrease over two years for companies with gas-guzzling taxis.
Source: http://www.breakinglegalnews.com/category/Breaking%20Legal%20News
Tags: federal preemption, hybrid cars, taxicab
