Two Birds, Just One Stone: Supporters Rev Up MN Clean Car Law
Thursday, February 19, 2009
St.Paul, MN - Two birds, but just one stone. The Minnesota Clean Air Act would make the state's vehicle emissions standard mirror California's law - the strictest in the nation - and some say passage would help drivers' pocketbooks, too. The bill, now being discussed in the House Transportation Policy and Oversight Committee, requires an overall reduction in emissions of 18 percent in 10 years and a total of 27 percent in 20 years.
Carin Skoog, the Global Warming Solutions coordinator for Fresh Energy Minnesota,, calls the proposed standard good for the environment. In addition, she estimates it will save drivers a total of $260 million by 2025.
"These cars and trucks are cheaper to operate because a lot of the different technologies used to make them cleaner also make them more fuel-efficient."
A state advisory group estimates that tighter standards for Minnesota cars would cut almost a million metric tons of greenhouse gases each year. Fourteen states in all have enacted stricter emissions requirements than those set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Automobile manufacturers, however, would prefer a federal standard instead of different requirements varying from state to state. They also complain that the bill's restrictions would reduce their options at a particularly difficult time for their industry. According to Skoog, though, manufacturers already have the ability to make cleaner cars, and she stresses that the bill gives them ample time to make the transition.
"It's nothing new. We don't have to require a bunch of new advanced hybrids. This isn't going to limit number of trucks people drive. It's just going to make the cars and trucks that they do purchase and drive better cars and trucks."
A similar bill proposed in 2007 failed to win support. Advocates for the legislation hope pledges the Obama administration made to increase auto efficiency will boost the legislation's chances of passing this session.
The House bill is available at www.house.leg.state.mn.us.
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