U.S. to extend low-emission vehicle standards previously adopted by Oregon, California and 12 other states to the rest of the nation
By Oregon DEQ,
In 2005 Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski joined California and 12 other states to adopt cutting-edge standards for cleaner cars, reducing greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. Today EPA adopted a new rule to extend these emission standards nationwide. Oregon’s early adoption of low-emission vehicle standards helped pave the way for the new federal standards and cleaner cars across the country.
“The nationwide adoption of these standards clearly shows that enacting good clean energy policy doesn’t mean “going alone” or jeopardizing our state economy,” says Governor Kulongoski. “Today Oregonians along with citizens from the 13 other states can stand proudly as champions for clean air and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. EPA should be commended for this significant step to combat climate change. Now the rest of the nation is set to take advantage of low-emission vehicle rules that will help produce cleaner, more efficient vehicles for U.S. consumers.”
Governor Kulongoski’s Advisory Group on Global Warming recommended adopting the standard. Beginning with the 2009 model year car manufacturers have been required to provide cleaner, more fuel efficient cars to Oregonians. The stricter standards result in environmental benefits such as reductions in toxic emissions from cars and trucks and a reduction in greenhouse gas pollution. Using less fuel means decreased dependence on foreign oil and money saved at the pump. Money saved on fuel is likely to be spent locally within Oregon.
Oregon’s efforts to meet the challenges of a “carbon restricted” future are well under way. There are several programs that will complement the low-emission vehicle standards.
• Oregon is developing standards to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel fuel. These rules will complement the clean car standards and expand markets for advanced biofuels, electric vehicles and other low-carbon transportation fuels.
• Oregon now requires greenhouse gas emission sources (power plants, industry, and fuel distributors) to quantify and report their greenhouse gas emissions. These reports are used to improve scientific understanding of the sources of gases causing global climate change.
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