Annapolis – The Maryland House of Delegates took the final vote today to
send the Clean Cars Act to the desk of Gov. Martin O’Malley, approving the
measure 124-16. The Senate approved the final version of the bill yesterday by
a vote of 38-9.
Amendments had been attached
to the bill to clarify certain provisions and ensure it will have its intended
effect, but no amendments passed that would weaken the program.
In his first major step
on the environment, Gov. Martin O’Malley became a primary sponsor of the bill
and helped to usher it through the legislature. Sen. Brian Frosh and Del.
Elizabeth Bobo were the primary legislative sponsors. Senate President Thomas
V. Mike Miller, Jr., House Speaker Michael Busch, and House committee chair Maggie
McIntosh all pushed hard for the bill.
“The governor and
legislative leaders deserve immense credit for standing up for our health and
the environment,” said Environment Maryland State Director Brad Heavner.
The Clean Cars Act will
reduce global warming pollution by 4.4 million tons per year by 2016 when it is
fully phased in. It will also reduce smog-forming pollution by 3600 tons per
year and cancer-causing pollution by 100 tons per year by 2025 compared to
federal standards.
Maryland now joins eleven other states that have adopted
the Clean Cars Program. The program adds carbon dioxide, the primary cause of
global warming, to the list of pollutants that are covered by vehicle emission
standards. It also strengthens the standards for other pollutants and requires
that a percentage of new cars sold each year be advanced technology vehicles
such as hybrids.
This week’s ruling by
the U.S. Supreme Court validates the authority of states to take this type of
action. Automakers have sued in other states to block the Clean Cars Program
from taking effect, but are unlikely to win those cases.
“Next stop, Congress,”
said Heavner. “The Supreme Court has said yes to pollution controls. State
legislatures are saying yes to pollution controls. I hope the manufacturers
will finally take yes for an answer and work to comply with these rules rather
than suing to block them.”
