State governments around the country aren’t waiting for leadership from the Bush administration when it comes to limiting global warming emissions from motor vehicles.  Twelve states have taken matters into their own hands by adopting the “Clean Cars Program,” which sets limits on global warming pollution from cars, light trucks, and SUVs.  

     The Clean Cars Program has three components:

     1)  Global Warming Emission Standards, which limit emissions of pollutants that contribute to global warming.

     2)  The Low-Emission Vehicle program, which sets strong standards for emissions of smog-forming and toxic air pollutants.

     3)  The Zero-Emission Vehicle program, which promotes advanced-technology vehicles such as hybrids, fuel-cell vehicles and electric vehicles. 

     The Clean Cars program is an important step toward halting and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  America’s cars and trucks currently produce more than 360 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.  And these emissions are expected to rise another 50% by 2015!  So it makes sense for all 50 states to adopt the Clean Cars Program.

     While lessening global warming is the key benefit to the Clean Cars Program, it is far from the only one.  Clean Cars also mean a reduction in polluting emissions that are linked with increased risks for stroke, heart attacks, and cancer, and that worsen asthma and lung disease.  And as a result of reductions in these health-damaging emissions, we can expect a reduction in medical expenses.

     And the Clean Cars Program saves money!  Cars that incorporate advanced technology components have reduced operating costs, which saves money at the pump.  And with drivers spending less on gas, money that leaves the local economy stays in drivers’ pockets for other uses.

     The following states have adopted the Clean Cars Program:  California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.   Is your state on the list?  If not, contact your Governor’s Office and strongly recommend that your state act for a safe and healthy future by adopting the Clean Cars Program.  

This entry was posted on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 12:55 pm and is filed under Good news for Mother Earth!. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.