IRRC Approves Clean Vehicles Program

Program Reduces Smog-Forming Emissions, Toxic Pollution

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 2 -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that proposed changes to Pennsylvania's Clean Vehicles Program, which would ensure cleaner, healthier air across the commonwealth --- all at no overall additional cost to consumers, has been approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

"We are cleaning up the environment and growing our economy at the same time," Governor Rendell said. "The Clean Vehicles Program helps Pennsylvania be competitive so it can create the jobs we critically need and guarantee consumers access to vehicles that operate more efficiently, conserve fuel and help break America's dependence on imported oil."

IRRC voted 4-1 to approve a plan that locks in model year 2008 as the compliance date for the next phase of the state program. The program sets new emission standards for new passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Pennsylvania; it also requires automakers to make their overall fleet cleaner than would be required by the federal government.

IRRC's approval follows a 16-2 endorsement in September by the state's Environmental Quality Board, also an independent regulatory review panel. EQB received 4,829 responses during a public comment period on the rulemaking. Nearly all commentators supported the state program, which at the time was a record number of responses for a rulemaking in Pennsylvania.

The rulemaking still requires review by the state attorney general before becoming final. However, an effort is underway in the House of Representatives to repeal the standards, originally adopted in 1998. The House Transportation Committee acted suddenly and surprisingly two weeks ago to send Senate Bill 1025 to the full chamber for consideration. The House may take up the measure later this month before adjourning the two-year session.

"Repealing the Clean Vehicles Program would roll back efforts to enhance energy security and improve air quality, and force Pennsylvania businesses and manufacturers to shoulder even more of the emission reduction burden so the commonwealth can meet its federal air quality requirements," Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. "That's no way to stay competitive and keep our economy growing."

Cars contribute about a third of the state's smog-producing emissions. They also emit toxic pollutants like benzene. People are driving more and more --- Pennsylvanians increase their vehicle miles driven by some 2 percent every year --- so improving vehicle technology through this program will preserve mobility while protecting public health and the environment.

Pennsylvania's Clean Vehicles Program will cut volatile organic compounds as much as 12 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions 9 percent more than the less stringent federal standards, and result in a 5-percent to 11-percent greater reduction of six toxic air pollutants, including benzene, a known carcinogen.

Two-thirds of Pennsylvanians live in the 37 counties that failed to meet the more protective eight-hour ozone standards and were designated as being in "nonattainment" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2004. Heart problems and respiratory problems, including asthma, are exacerbated by unhealthy air, which also can cause damage to crops, forests and wildlife.

Failure to meet clean-air standards also hinders economic growth. New businesses face steeper environmental hurdles to operate in places designated as being in nonattainment. Fewer emission reductions from mobile sources mean more reductions would need to be mandated for factories, power plants and manufacturers.

The federal Clean Air Act gives individual states the choice of adopting federal emission standards or the tougher rules used in California. A growing number of states in the Northeast and the West Coast have been opting to follow California's lead. Pennsylvania adopted the California standards in 1998.

Tailpipe standards cost little or nothing in the short term and, overall, save consumers money, making this the most cost-effective approach. Vehicles meeting the California standards are sold on the market today at the same price as those meeting the less strict federal standard. Moreover, in the coming years, consumers will save money over the life of these vehicles because they operate more efficiently.

The savings to consumers are estimated at about $3.50 to $7 per month in 2016 when the full program is implemented. These estimates were done with gasoline prices averaged at $1.74 per gallon.

California rules also include provisions to reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming, as vehicles are a significant source of these gases. These California greenhouse gas provisions will apply to new passenger cars and light-duty trucks beginning with the 2009 model year. This provision, which automaker are challenging in federal court, also would pertain to cars sold in the commonwealth.

For more information, visit DEP's Web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us, Keyword: "Air Quality."

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: www.governor.state.pa.us.