Question

Why does the auto industry prefer uniform (national) standards for automobile emissions as opposed to regionally varying standards? Are uniform standards beneficial to everyone?

Answer 1

A uniform standard for automobile emission is preferred, because it does not give undue advantage to any company that is located in specific states where the regional standards are less stringent. Since pollution has its impact across the states and in the whole of the USA, then there should be uniform standards across all the states. It will also nullify the impact of regional standards as a factor in the selection of plant locations for the automobile company. It means that a state offering less stringent emission standards, will attract more companies in that state and it will be against the other states who care more about the natural environment. It can make more states to opt for the liberal emission standards, that will harm more to the USA as a country, than the good. So, a uniform standard is preferred to eliminate it as a factor in plant location decisions.

Yes, uniform standards are beneficial to everyone, because it will bring effective control upon the pollution level as there will be no any state where the culprit firm can hide. Besides, it is more effective as efforts done towards environment conservation.