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CLEANER CARS, CLEANER AIR
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CLEANER CARS, CLEANER AIR
One of four Priorities for a Healthy Washington State
Cars are part of our daily life, but automobile emissions are taking a toll on our health and our environment. Automobiles are the number one source of Washington’s air pollution. Clean car standards will reduce toxic and global warming emissions from autos by giving Washingtonians cleaner car choices. With these standards, all new cars sold in Washington after 2008 will emit less toxic air pollution, while saving on fuel costs and starting to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Passing these standards in 2005 will:
Reduce cancer-causing automobile emissions
Save $1.1 billion in fuel costs for Puget Sound consumers and $2.3 billion for Washington state consumers by 2020
Start reducing our dependence on foreign oil
Enable Washington reduce global warming pollution from new cars by roughly 30% by 2016
Protect our opportunity for economic development
What the legislation would do:
Adopt California’s stronger auto emission (clean car) standards requiring that new cars and trucks delivered to Washington to produce less toxic pollution and global warming pollution.
The standards would apply to auto manufacturers, not individual vehicles or owners.
Seven Northeastern states — New York, New Jersey and most of New England-- — have already adopted these clean car standards.
Clean car standards vs federal standards
Clean car standards are different from Washington’s current federal standards in two important ways:
Clean car standards reduce cancer-causing air toxics, such as benzene and formaldehyde more than federal standards.
Federal standards do not limit global warming pollution. Clean car standards will reduce global warming pollution by 30% by 2016.
Protect Public Health
Automobiles are the number one source of Washington’s air pollution and are a major factor in asthma rates in our cities. 10% of kids in Seattle and Spokane suffer from asthma, compared with less than 7% nationally. When air pollution levels spike, living with asthma is even tougher for these kids because smog can trigger asthma attacks. In King County, particulate matter levels are so high that the American Lung Association gave King County an ‘F’ in its air pollution report card. Clean car standards have been shown to produce a 25% reduction in cancer-causing toxics such as benzene, formaldehyde and 1,3-butadiene.
Reduce global warming pollution
The new clean car standards are expected to reduce global warming pollution from new cars by roughly 30% by 2016. Unchecked climate disruption is projected to devastate economic and environmental systems. Washington and Oregon’s cascade snowpack – which drives our power, water, agriculture, and habitat systems – is projected to decline by 59% by the 2050s without swift action. Cleaner cars are a key part of the climate solution.
Save fuel costs
The global warming emission standards have substantial economic benefits to consumers by reducing operating costs and fuel consumption. Clean car standards that begin with 2009 models will save $1.1 billion in fuel costs for Puget Sound consumers by 2020. At $18 per month, these fuel savings more than pay for the $7 per month increase in the price of clean cars.
Offer better cars and more consumer choice
States that adopt clean car standards get cars that are cleaner, more advanced and having longer warranties. Californians currently enjoy the choice of 25 cleaner vehicle models that are not available in Washington. Washingtonians must wait to purchase popular hybrids, because they are first delivered to California and other states with clean car standards. The standards will in no way limit consumer choice – California has plenty of SUVs, and even the biggest SUVs can meet the new standards cost-effectively with off-the-shelf technology.
Improve air quality and opportunity for economic development
Clean car standards also reduces smog-forming pollution and global warming pollution. With some areas in Washington nearly out of compliance with clean air laws and an urgent need to reduce global warming pollution, our air resources are finite. Transportation causes more than half of the pollution. Clean car standards allow us to save more of our precious air resource for local businesses and jobs.
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