Now, for the first time, we are taking an action that is both costeffective for consumers and will offer important environmental benefits that are protective of human health. Automakers have long argued the devices were expensive, dangerous, and unnecessary. But environmentalists and regulators saw them as the best way to stop gas fumes from escaping into the air. Those fumes can aggravate smog in some cities as well as hurt crops and make it difficult for people to breathe, especially young children and the elderly. . . . The regulation won't require a completely new device.
Most cars already have canisters in the engine compartment to capture polluting fuel evaporation.
Federal regulations call for those canisters to be improved beginning in 1996. Monday's announcement means refueling vapors will have to be captured and diverted to those enlarged, improved canisters. The action, taken under court order, ends a seven-year battle with the auto industry, which had strongly opposed the canisters. Automakers contended it would be cheaper to equip gasoline pumps with pollutioncontrol devices. Major oil companies fought that idea.