comments

[Steven Cavanaugh <steven@sympatico.ca>]

Would you consider passing this idea on to your mailing list for
comments please?

                        The Cavanaugh Proposal for Cleaner Air


This proposal will make a tremendous, immediate improvement in the
quality of the air we all breathe and leave a better legacy for our
children in the new millenium.

The plan is simply this: by increasing the octane level of our regular
grade gasoline, we can achieve approximately a 10% reduction in air
pollution for every 1% increase in octane.  Increasing the octane by 3%
will yield a decrease of 30% in air pollution.  This can be achieved
gradually over a three year period or more effectively with an
aggressive one-time change for  a greater, more immediate impact.

Federal and Provincial (State) Government Involvement:

Reduce sales taxes on environmentally friendlier gasoline to promote its
use.

Pros  - reduce the escalation of health costs for         respiratory
illnesses
- no administration, promotion or regulation required

Cons - loss of small amount of tax revenue

Consumer Involvement:

Accept a small price increase in the base cost of gasoline.

Pros  - a feeling of empowerment to make a significant
difference in air quality simply by purchasing a         current
necessity
. a feeling of working together with other consumers on a   large scale
to improve the environment health for now and   the future
. reduces mistrust of government regulation and taxation
. better engine performance. Such as better acceleration,   increased
mileage and reduced emissions
. better winter starts and cleaner engines




Cons: - slight increase in fuel costs

Petroleum Industry Involvement:

Reduce their profits in favor of environmentally friendlier fuel.

Pros: - show a commitment to the rest of society their         sincerity
to help in cleaning our air for all to         breather better.
. dramatically reduce the costs of refining, storing,   transporting and
dispensing of three grades of gasoline,   which would change to two
grades

Cons: - an initial cost to upgrade refining capabilities and change to
two grades

Automobile Industry Involvement:

As a gesture to assist vehicle owners, offer discounts on tune-ups to
facilitate the changeover to a more environmentally, higher octane fuel
supply.

Pros: - a very effective way to increase fuel efficiency on every
vehicle produced to meet increasing government standards on future
products.
IE: Higher grade fuels automatically increase fuel efficiency of their
new products.


CONCLUSION :

Although these measures may have a slight inflationary aspect, they will
be well accepted because all sectors of society will be involved.  They
will result in cleaner air on a global scale, increase in health,
especially for the young and the elderly, decrease in lost time from
work,  improved learning conditions, resulting in a better prepared
populace, a decrease in health care costs, and a reduction in oil
consumption due to increased efficiency of engines.

Alternate Conclusion:

Societal Impact:

Pros: - increase in efficiency of gasoline engines,     resulting in
decreased air pollution and oil consumption
. cleaner air on a global scale as various societies     worldwide see
the benefits
. improved health, especially for the young and elderly
· decrease in healthcare costs
· increase in worker and learner efficiency

Cons: - slight inflationary aspect spread over many sectors of society


--
Thanks  steven@sympatico.ca