The right thing for Minnesota: Cleaner Cars standards

As the 2008 Minnesota State Legislature continues its mad dash to the end of the session, oil prices are rocketing toward a projected $200 per barrel—possibly within six months. At a time when America’s gas prices are making international headlines, legislators need to do all they can to protect Minnesotans and keep more money in our wallets and our local economies.

A smart policy solution is on the table: the Minnesota Clean Car Act. This bill will reduce vehicle emissions, resulting in increased fuel economy and saving us money at the the gas pump.

Minnesota policymakers should act now. We cannot afford to sit idle when viable policy options will help reduce the impact of rising oil prices.

Other states' residents benefit from smart policy
Arizona joins the push for cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks

In an announcement this week, Arizona became the 14th state to adopt the stronger vehicle emissions regulations, known as Cleaner Cars standards, currently proposed for Minnesota. Faster-growing and more truck-dependent than Minnesota, Arizona took the opportunity to both save consumers money and reduce pollution with this new policy.

As the price of gas continues to rise, the residents of Arizona and the 13 other states that have adopted Cleaner Cars standards will benefit from spending less money at the pump. This move by Arizona’s leaders means almost half of Americans will be able to buy cars and trucks that are more efficient, less polluting, and less reliant on foreign oil. Shouldn't Minnesotans also have that opportunity?

Will Minnesota's leaders rise to reality?
Diversionary claims are refuted by facts

The Minnesota Clean Car Act has cleared one hurdle after another this session—roadblocks set up by automakers in an attempt to create a cloud of disinformation. A popular rumor: the standards provide little benefit and are merely a political ploy. This could not be further from the truth.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported this week on CNN that if oil reaches $200 a barrel—a possible price in the next six months—the price of gas could soar to an alarming $5.75 per gallon. As it is, a federal agency forecasts an average price for regular unleaded gasoline of $3.73 per gallon by the end of June. Adopting the stronger emissions standards in Minnesota will put us on track to saving consumers money once it's implemented. The higher gas prices climb, the greater the savings to Minnesotans from the Cleaner Cars standards.

WE CAN'T RELY ON FEDERAL ACTION
Opponents say an April 2008 federal proposal to ramp up national CAFE standards for vehicle fuel economy makes passing the Minnesota Clean Car Act unnecessary. Not true. History shows the sluggish nature of federal response to the rising cost of gas—in December 2007, the federal government only modestly increased CAFE standards for the first time in 20 years. There is certainly no guarantee that this newest federal proposal will ever be implemented. Even if it is, the Cleaner Cars standards reduce emissions far more than these possible federal standards—up to 45 percent more by 2020—driving more automotive innovation and greater oil savings as a critical side-benefit.

THE RIGHT THING TO DO
In the final days of the 2008 session, state policymakers have the opportunity to do the right thing for Minnesota. Few of us can afford to wait as gas prices rise. It is not enough to simply talk about reducing pollution and speculate about the impact of rising oil prices—Minnesota’s policymakers need to act now and pass the Minnesota Clean Car Act.

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