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