Other Implications of State Fuel Standards

The New York Times is reporting that President Obama will tell federal regulators Monday to move swiftly on an application by California and 13 other states to set strict automobile emission and fuel efficiency standards.  It's hard to imagine that car makers are going to give up markets in California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Washington.  They will find quick ways to adjust.

But if the differences persist between the 14 states requesting the higher standards and the other 36 states accepting lower standards, it could have an interesting effect on domestic moves.  That coveted demographic, college-educated 25-34 year-olds, increasingly say they decide on where to live, in part, on how their values match up to those of the city.  And the environment is growing in importance to them.  I would hate to be one of the states settling for lower standards while trying to attract young adults.  I predict an uphill battle for talent.  Think of Bill Bishop's Big Sort.  That's what we can expect -- a sorting by values.

  

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