[Big Dave]

When the EPA first started putting restrictions on car engines, it was a disaster for the motorist. The cars of 1973 were the worst cars ever built. The relative performance levels of 1972 were not restored until well into the mid 90s, and that took a revolution in computerized engine management.

Yeah, there is a heckuva learning curve – a twenty year learning curve if past is prologue, but we have no engine management revolution showing on the horizon, just $4500 filter/afterburners that wreck fuel economy. The loss of performance may last even longer this time.

And for that we get…what? Has the EPA given us any metric of health benefits that will be realized from Tier II? Not that I know of.

This is a very valid discussion to have. When society is asked to pay a steep price, one has a right to expect some sort of payoff, but I just don’t see any promises about the benefits of Tier II and ULSD requirements.