EPA is downwind of auto emissions

Re “EPA OKs fuel-cell car production,” Dec. 24

I had to laugh reading that the EPA finally got around to approving the California Air Resources Board decision -- made three years ago -- to move away from battery electric technology and allow automakers to satisfy its zero-emissions requirements with fuel-cell vehicles. The irony is that in those three years, many fuel-cell advocates have concluded that the technology is fraught with challenging and expensive engineering problems. They are now once again looking at solutions that involve batteries.

The Air Resources Board will likely announce revamped zero-emissions requirements that favor battery powered cars over fuel-cell vehicles. Will it take another three years for the EPA to approve these rules too?

PAUL SCOTT

Santa Monica