Read the Report.
Tailpipe
standards already adopted in 12 states would reduce global warming
emissions by nearly 400 million metric tons by 2020 – a reduction level
equivalent to taking 74 million of today’s cars off the road for an
entire year, according to a new report released today by the Arizona
PIRG Education Fund. The report comes as the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) prepares to hold a public hearing on whether to
give states the green light to reduce global warming pollution from
cars and SUVs.
“Cars
and SUVs are a massive source of pollution,” said Diane E. Brown,
Executive Director of the Arizona PIRG Education Fund. “By establishing
the Clean Cars Program, we can reduce air pollution, protect public
health and save consumers money at the pump,” Brown continued.
The Arizona PIRG Education Fund’s new report analyzes government data
and non-profit studies to estimate the reduction in global warming
emissions, reduction in oil consumption, and consumer savings that
would result from the global warming emission standards for cars and
SUVs that have been adopted by 12 states. The report also looks at the
benefits from Arizona and five additional states that are considering
the policy. Key findings include:
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The 12-state standards will cut global warming emissions from cars,
light trucks, and SUVs by 392 million metric tons by 2020, the
equivalent to taking 74 million of today’s cars off the road for an
entire year.
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The 12-state standards could reduce gasoline consumption by as much as
8.3 billion gallons per year in 2020—as much as is consumed by all the
vehicles in Florida in a year—and enable consumers to save up to $25.8
billion annually at the pump in 2020.
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If Arizona and the five additional states that are considering the
policy adopt the standards, the total global warming emission
reductions would grow to 536 million metric tons by 2020, the
equivalent to taking 101 million of today’s cars off the road for an
entire year.
In late 2004, California adopted first-of-their-kind standards
requiring cars and light-duty trucks to limit emissions that contribute
to global warming. Since then, 11 other states—including Connecticut,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington—have adopted the
tailpipe standards. EPA has been sitting for 18 months on California’s
request for a waiver under the Clean Air Act, which EPA has routinely
issued more than 50 times in the last four decades, in effect blocking
implementation of the emission standards in California and other
states. Passenger vehicles are the second largest source of global
warming emissions nationwide.
Through Governor Napolitano’s Climate Change Advisory Group, a diverse
set of stakeholders unanimously recommended the adoption of the Clean
Cars Program for Arizona. In Executive Order 2006-13, Governor
Napolitano called for adoption and implementation of the Clean Cars
Program. The rulemaking process has not yet begun.
“Due
to Arizona’s rapidly increasing population, we can expect to see many
more cars on our roads. Auto exhaust is a major cause of the increasing
smog that endangers public health. The EPA should immediately give the
green light so that Arizona and other states can reduce pollution and
adverse public health impacts from cars and light trucks.”
EPA is holding two public hearings on the waiver request – one tomorrow
in the D.C. metro area and the second next week in Sacramento. EPA
scheduled the hearings and opened a public comment period on the issue
after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April that the Clean Air Act
gives EPA the authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other global
warming pollutants from cars.
