PennFuture: Senate Denies Pennsylvanians Most Fuel Efficient, Cleanest Cars by Passing SB 1025

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Feb. 1, 20065, 2006--The Senate passage today of Senate Bill 1025 (SB 1025), a bill that blocks implementation of Pennsylvania's Clean Vehicles Program, threatens to drive Pennsylvania backwards and to keep America addicted to oil.

The Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles program would require auto manufacturers to sell here in 2008 the most fuel efficient, cleanest cars that meet the California tail pipe standards. The program is essential for many counties in western, central and southeastern Pennsylvania to comply with federal law that protects human health from the impacts of air pollution like smog.

By failing to cut pollution from cars as much as possible, SB 1025 would make mandatory more pollution reductions from factories and stationary sources. "SB 1025 threatens jobs, human health, and can only please those who have kept our nation addicted to oil," said John Hanger, PennFuture's President and CEO.

"The Senate has put at risk a program that will bring the cleanest cars to Pennsylvania in 2008, with the added benefit of substantially better gas mileage. Even worse, the Senate has voted against the health of over one million Pennsylvanians who suffer from chronic breathing problems and are plagued by our unhealthy air," continued Hanger.

SB 1025 now heads to the House where another bill that would kill the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program has stalled. "PennFuture and citizens across the Commonwealth call on the House to kill SB 1025, a true lemon of a bill," concluded Hanger.

In the House substantial opposition to bills killing the Clean Vehicle Program has emerged both in the Democratic and Republican caucuses. Governor Rendell and his Administration have also worked tirelessly to defeat legislative attempts to stop the Clean Vehicles Program. More and more people across Pennsylvania are now following this debate and watching the votes of their state senators and state representatives.

PennFuture is a statewide public interest membership organization that advances policies to protect and improve the state's environment and economy. PennFuture's activities include litigating cases before regulatory bodies and in local, state and federal courts, advocating and advancing legislative action on a state and federal level, public education and assisting citizens in public advocacy. PennFuture's offices are located in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.