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Minnesota’s transportation sector accounts for
more than half of the state’s air toxics that
contribute to asthma and the degradation of our lakes and
rivers. Transportation also accounts for a quarter of the state's global warming emissions. Reducing pollution from on-road vehicles is an
important piece of the solution, and the best way to ensure
Minnesotans have access to cleaner, more efficient vehicles
is to require auto manufacturers to sell these certified
cleaner cars and trucks in the state.
The 2009 Minnesota Legislature should follow
the recommendations of Governor Pawlenty’s Minnesota Climate Change Advisory
Group and pass state-based Clean Cars standards. Adopting these standards is a win-win-win for
Minnesotans' pocketbooks, our health and Minnesota's great outdoors.
POLICY
GOALS
- Requires auto manufacturers
to produce cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks that save
Minnesotans money at the gas pump.
- Helps decrease Minnesota’s
dependence on foreign oil.
- Minnesota will join 14 other states in adopting more
protective vehicle emissions standards, authorized under
the federal Clean Air Act.
- The vehicle emissions standards would take effect in 2012
and ramp up to a 30 percent reduction in global warming pollution
for new cars and light-duty trucks sold in 2016
and beyond.
- Auto manufacturers can easily meet the Clean Cars standards
using existing technologies without compromising performance,
weight, or availability of any models of cars, vans, SUVs,
or trucks.
- Will reduce at least 13 million
metric tons of global warming pollution and other air pollutants
and save consumers more than $260 million by 2025 (MCCAG).
Downloads:
Clean
Cars: a win-win for Minnesota
Get the facts: the truth about clean
car legislation
Sampling of vehicles
that already meet the Clean Cars standards
Trucks get cleaner while maintaining performance,
availability
Clean
Cars: Good for Minnesota consumers
Clean
Cars, Cleaner Air: Curbing Air pollution and Protecting Public
Health in Minnesota with the Clean Cars Program
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