The State of California unveiled the new green labeling for autos on Thursday. 

"This label will arm consumers with the information they need to choose a vehicle that saves gas, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps fight smog all at once," said Mary Nichols. "Consumer choice is an especially powerful tool in our fight against climate change. We look forward to seeing these stickers on 2009 model cars as they start hitting the showrooms in the coming months."



The environmental performance label will provide two scores on a scale of 1-10, a Smog Score and a Global Warming Score. The average new car will score five on both scales. The higher the score the less impact the car has on the environment. The California Air Resources Board also hosts a consumer web site, www.DriveClean.ca.gov, that provides information on the cleanest, most efficient cars on the market.

What I hope to see come out of this is something similar for homes and of course these labels on cars across the country.  Each home can be energy rated and then given a score based on the energy rating.  This score can then be posted when the home is sold.  Homes that have seen green upgrades and green homes would ultimately fare better.  I have heard rumors that something like this is in the works, but I am unable to confirm anything. 

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