A Victory For Clean Vehicles

A Federal Court of Appeals panel ruled in favor of clean, green energy yesterday -- setting a precedent that could inspire communities across the country to choose alternative fuel vehicles over their dirty predecessors.

The ruling, according to a story in the Los Angeles Times, supports a local community's ability to require clean-burning fuels and engines in vehicle fleets that benefit from public funding. Think dirty diesel school buses. Think the black-smoke belching garbage trucks. Think police and fire department vehicles.

The ruling doesn't apply to national private or government fleets, which local governments may not have jurisdiction to influence. The ruling is a clear victory. Using alternative fueled vehicles -- as governments both Democratic and Republican have supported -- is a quick and easy way to clean the air in real time.

Beyond that, it creates a market for vehicles and fueling stations that can drive down the costs, so the rest of us will soon be able to take better advantage of the clean technology.

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