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Mexico City temporarily restricts all cars after smog alert | Mexico City temporarily restricts all cars after smog alert |
(about 1 hour later) | |
MEXICO CITY — Metropolitan authorities on Wednesday temporarily ordered all cars to remain idle one day a week in response to this notoriously smoggy capital’s worst air-quality crisis in over a decade. | MEXICO CITY — Metropolitan authorities on Wednesday temporarily ordered all cars to remain idle one day a week in response to this notoriously smoggy capital’s worst air-quality crisis in over a decade. |
Until now vehicles have been exempt from Mexico City’s “no circulation” rules if owners obtain a holographic sticker from a smog-check center certifying them as lower-emission. | Until now vehicles have been exempt from Mexico City’s “no circulation” rules if owners obtain a holographic sticker from a smog-check center certifying them as lower-emission. |
But the Environmental Commission of the Megalopolis, a cross-government agency comprising the capital and surrounding suburbs that together are home to more than 20 million people, said in a statement that all cars must now comply, even if they have the exemption sticker. Vehicles will also be forced from the roads one Saturday a month. | |
It also lowered the threshold at which alerts will be declared and predicted that atmospheric conditions will continue to favor the build-up of contaminants during the current dry season. | |
The measure takes effect Tuesday and runs until June 30, around the time that summer rains typically arrive and improve the region’s air quality significantly. | |
Officials have been meeting to consider anti-pollution measures since a Phase 1 emergency due to high ozone levels — the first since 2005 — was declared two weeks ago, when warm temperatures and still air left pollution trapped in Mexico City’s volcano-ringed valley. | Officials have been meeting to consider anti-pollution measures since a Phase 1 emergency due to high ozone levels — the first since 2005 — was declared two weeks ago, when warm temperatures and still air left pollution trapped in Mexico City’s volcano-ringed valley. |
At the time, government officials and environmental activists pinned at least some of the blame on a Supreme Court decision last year that overturned a rule barring all cars over eight years old from the streets one day a week. | At the time, government officials and environmental activists pinned at least some of the blame on a Supreme Court decision last year that overturned a rule barring all cars over eight years old from the streets one day a week. |
The ruling is said to have put an extra 1.4 million vehicles back on the roads each day. | The ruling is said to have put an extra 1.4 million vehicles back on the roads each day. |
Smog levels dropped significantly during Easter Week, when much of Mexico City empties out due to the holiday. But on Wednesday afternoon authorities were reporting a pollution index of 108 — officially “bad,” though about half the levels recorded at the peak of the Phase 1 alert. | Smog levels dropped significantly during Easter Week, when much of Mexico City empties out due to the holiday. But on Wednesday afternoon authorities were reporting a pollution index of 108 — officially “bad,” though about half the levels recorded at the peak of the Phase 1 alert. |
The commission said that starting July 1, more modern technology will be put in place at smog-check centers. Vehicles are supposed to get checked every six months, though it’s common knowledge that for a bribe of $20 or so drivers can ensure a car comes out “clean.” | The commission said that starting July 1, more modern technology will be put in place at smog-check centers. Vehicles are supposed to get checked every six months, though it’s common knowledge that for a bribe of $20 or so drivers can ensure a car comes out “clean.” |
“The definitive ‘no circulation’ program will align with the new rule for vehicular verification that will be presented soon,” federal Environment Secretary Rafael Pacchiano tweeted. | “The definitive ‘no circulation’ program will align with the new rule for vehicular verification that will be presented soon,” federal Environment Secretary Rafael Pacchiano tweeted. |
Pacchiano said that in addition to Wednesday’s emergency measures, authorities are working on medium-term solutions including improvements to public transportation. | Pacchiano said that in addition to Wednesday’s emergency measures, authorities are working on medium-term solutions including improvements to public transportation. |
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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