The Arizona PIRG Education Fund’s Diane E. Brown cited three years of research, stakeholder support, public participation and the involvement of allies in her testimony supporting the Clean Cars Program at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) public hearing.

“The Clean Cars Program is a win-win-win for Arizona,” said Brown. “Clean cars are good for Arizona’s air quality, good for public health, and good for consumers.”

Three years ago, when Gov. Janet Napolitano established the Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG), Brown served on the Transportation and Land Use working group. 

Diverse stakeholders, including representatives from leading Arizona utilities, businesses, public health and environmental groups, and others, unanimously supported the Clean Cars Program as one of the most significant policy opportunities to reduce global warming pollution in our state. The governor responded by issuing an executive order, which included the Clean Cars Program, and ADEQ initiated a rulemaking process that included the public hearing. 

In addition to those involved in Arizona’s stakeholder process, more than 75 small business owners, religious leaders, children and senior citizen organizations, and others have added their support to putting cleaner cars on our roads.  Through door-to-door and other citizen outreach efforts, and events at the community level and at Arizona universities, thousands of concerned citizens have written letters, signed postcards and sent e-mails to show their appreciation for the advancement of the Clean Cars Program. 

Brown praised the governor and ADEQ for their efforts thus far, and joined with other organizations and Arizonans in urging them to move the Clean Cars Program forward.