In an effort to cut its carbon footprint by 30 percent by 2030, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has pushed to transition New York City's cab fleets from conventional vehicles to those that get no less than 30 miles per gallon.

However, a lawsuit filed in September charged that rules dictating this transition had been rushed without adequate concern for safety and cost. The suit also stated that the immediate change to clean taxis might be politically enticing and expedient, but is also irresponsible, dangerous, and illegal.

Irresponsible?

It's irresponsible to slow progress that will help ease our reliance on foreign oil.

Dangerous?

I'd love to see one peer-reviewed study that indicates better fuel economy is dangerous.

Illegal?

Well, I guess a good lawyer can argue anything.

In response to this lawsuit, and the decision by US District Judge Paul Crotty to grant a preliminary injunction, Mayor Bloomberg stated that the decision is not a ruling against hybrid cabs, but rather a ruling that archaic Washington regulations are applicable and therefore cities are prevented from choosing to create cleaner air and a healthier place to live.

We couldn't agree more.

Let's hope the next administration actually encourages environmental and economic responsibility, instead of encouraging complacency and ignorance.

To a new way of life, and a new generation of wealth...

Jeff