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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

AZ Weighs Cancelling Clean Cars Program

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Thursday, June 16, 2011   

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Arizona's toughest-in-the-nation vehicle emission standards would be repealed under a proposal from Gov. Brewer and the state Department of Environmental Quality. Under federal law, states can choose to follow the national Environmental Protection Agency standards or the more strict California emission rules, as Arizona and 12 other states currently do.

With major parts of Arizona already failing to meet air quality standards, Arizona PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) Director Diane Brown argues that the state should be implementing, not repealing, clean air programs.

"Gila, Maricopa, Pinal and Yuma counties all received an 'F' for ozone pollution. So we have a ways to go in Arizona to better protect our air. And by better protecting our air, we can better protect public health."

Brown says clean cars produce less air pollution, which in turn reduces health problems, such as asthma attacks. The state needs to factor in the additional public health costs of allowing higher levels of harmful vehicle emissions, especially ozone, she urges.

"Ozone puts people at risk for premature death, coughing, asthma attacks, decreased lung function and respiratory infection, and worsens lung diseases."

Brown says low- or zero-emission cars do cost a bit more, but adds that they actually cost less overall, especially with gas near $4 a gallon.

"If you have a cleaner vehicle that gets better gas mileage, you're going to go farther on a gallon of gas, thereby saving money."

According to the state, the default federal emission standards are similar to the stricter California standards but the benefits of keeping the California rules do not justify the higher cost.

A public hearing on repeal of the Arizona Clean Cars Program will be held June 21 in Phoenix.

More information on the proposed repeal of the Arizona Clean Cars Program is available at www.ArizonaPIRG.org.



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