Governors in the US state of New Jersey have moved a step closer to adopting California's automobile emission standards.

The state senate's Budget Committee has approved a bill that will implement the Californian regulations, including a provision for zero-emission vehicles.

Under the bill, two per cent of all vehicles sold will be required to emit no or virtually no emissions, rising to 10 per cent by 2010.

Meanwhile, New York City Council has also been active in seeking to introduce tougher limits on the levels of emissions currently affecting the city.

The council has voted to pass a bill requiring construction equipment used in city funded projects to use ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel and other advanced emission control techniques.

It is hoped the legislation will reduce current sulphur levels in fuel from 3400ppm to 15ppm.

The legislation appears to corroborate what has become an increasingly stringent approach to emissions control at a federal level by the Bush Administration.

In October the US announced it was launching a review of rules governing tailpipe emissions following the publication of findings from the Environmental Protection Agency that suggested tighter controls may be necessary in order to safeguard human health.

The EPA staff, in a draft report, said the federal limits on exposure to soot might not be low enough, with particular regard to the levels for fine particles.

A final decision on the issue is expected later this year.