PennEnvironment’s Nathan Willcox discusses the clean cars proposal with one of the state’s strongest environmental champions, Rep. Josh Shapiro.
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After an 18-month regulatory process—and numerous legislative attempts to derail the process—the Clean Vehicles Program cleared its final hurdles in 2006 and became law in Pennsylvania. The program sets stronger air pollution standards for cars and light trucks sold in Pennsylvania, beginning with 2008 models, and will result in a 10 percent reduction in annual smog pollution from these vehicles by 2025. The program will also cut toxic, carcinogenic emissions from cars and trucks by 15 percent annually, and reduce global warming pollution from cars and trucks by nearly 25 percent each year by 2025.
“The Clean Vehicles Program is a huge victory for Pennsylvania’s environment and public health,” said PennEnvironment Energy and Clean Air Advocate Nathan Willcox. “This much-needed program will bring cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars to the state, and play a critical role in cutting the air pollution that triggers 300,000 asthma attacks each year in Pennsylvania.”
PennEnvironment staff and supporters were instrumental to the adoption of the program in the face of opposition from auto industry lobbyists. Perhaps most importantly, PennEnvironment activists and members generated nearly one-third of the 4,800 public comments endorsing the Clean Vehicles Program, showing decision-makers that there was broad support for this initiative.
PennEnvironment also demonstrated the need for the Clean Vehicles Program by releasing the report “Air Pollution and Public Health.” Using air pollution and hospital admissions data, the report quantified air pollution’s public health impact in Pennsylvania. Specifically, the report found that smog pollution leads to 7,000 hospital admissions for respiratory disease, and that air pollution is responsible for 800,000 missed work days each year in the state, clearly showing the need for the Clean Vehicles Program. |
