As the new home of WashPIRG's environmental work, Environment Washington can be contacted regarding this news release.
In a bold stroke that will
clear the skies over Washington and save consumers a bundle at the gas pump,
Governor Christine Gregoire signed Clean Car legislation today. The legislation
was hailed as a classic example of how forward-looking energy policy can benefit
consumers and the environment.
"Washingtonians can
breathe easier today, knowing that our cars will produce much less pollution
and our economy will be more resilient in the face of high gas prices,"
said KC Golden of Climate Solutions, a Northwest clean energy group.
"Excessive dependence
on fossil fuels is hitting us in the lungs and the wallet at the same time.
And it's the main cause of climate disruption, which is already undermining
the Northwest economy by eroding our snowpack and increasing the risk of forest
fires. This Clean Car legislation ensures that we get the cars and trucks we
want - all makes, models and sizes - but they'll run cleaner and cost less to
own and operate. That's a big win for everybody in Washington," said Golden.
Under the new Clean Car
standards, beginning in 2009, new cars will produce roughly half as much smog-forming
pollution and cancer-causing air toxics, like benzene and formaldehyde. By 2016,
they will produce roughly 30 percent less global warming pollution on average.
The cars will be so clean that the state will phase out tailpipe emission inspections
in urban areas, beginning in 2009.
Clean Car standards are
already in place in eight U.S. states, and Canada recently reached an agreement
with automakers to observe similar standards. Together, the eight states and
Canada comprise 40 percent of the North American vehicle market. That's enough
market demand, supporters believe, to tip the balance toward clean cars for
the whole country.
"As consumers and citizens,
people all over North America are demanding cleaner cars. Automakers who respond
to this demand with innovation and better engineering will be the winners in
the auto industry of the future. And with this legislation, the future is right
around the corner," said Robert Pregulman, Executive Director of WashPIRG.
Governor Gregoire and Governor
Kulongoski of Oregon have announced that they will work together to adopt Clean
Car standards—forming a solid West Coast Clean Car market with California
and British Columbia.
-more-
The legislation was supported by a broad coalition of consumer, business, and
civic groups as well as local governments. It passed with strong bi-partisan
support in both houses. "Today, Governor Gregoire and the Legislature delivered
a huge win for all of Washington," said Lisa Andrews, Clean Car Campaign
Director. "It shows that when a broad spectrum of people work together,
they can prevail over special interests. Our elected leaders delivered for the
people today—not for Democrats or Republicans, not for environmentalists
or business, not for east or west or left or right—for the people, for
everyone who breathes the air and pays for gas."
Supporters credited Senators
Poulsen, Rockefeller, Brown and Esser and Representatives Murray and Jarrett
for leading the way in the Legislature.
Governor Gregoire also signed
bills today that will provide incentives for solar energy users and suppliers
and require better efficiency standards for a variety of commercial equipment.
These bills will save consumers money while helping Washington businesses position
for success in the clean energy economy of the future.
"We've reached an historic
crossroads in this state and globally. Communities that look forward and lay
the foundations for a strong, efficient, clean energy economy will be the communities
that prosper in the future. Economies that prolong their dependence on oil,
coal, and gas will be left behind to cope with the staggering economic and environmental
costs of an obsolete fossil fueled energy strategy," said Golden. Andrews
agrees: "Today, Washington set out boldly and wisely for the clean energy
future. We'll get there a lot faster in Clean Cars."
