As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release.
Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown, Rep. Greg Macpherson Voice Support for Governor’s Proposal
PORTLAND—According to a new study released by Oregon State Public Interest Research Group
(OSPIRG), global warming pollution from cars and light trucks in Oregon
will rise to 31% above 1990 levels by 2020 if the state doesn’t take
action to control emissions. A Clean Cars program proposed by Governor
Kulongoski would cut pollution 12% below projected levels by 2020, the
equivalent of taking about 350,000 cars off the road. Global warming
pollution from cars and trucks would stabilize near 2000 levels. The
report was unveiled at a news conference where Senate Majority Leader
Kate Brown of Portland and Representative Greg Macpherson of Lake
Oswego voiced support for enacting the program this year.
“Cars
and trucks are currently driving Oregon toward significantly worse
global warming pollution,” said Jeremiah Baumann of OSPIRG, author of
the report, “but enacting the Clean Cars program this year will make a
major dent in global warming, and do so in ways that save millions of
dollars for Oregonians.”
The
Clean Cars program would set limits on global warming pollution emitted
by cars and light trucks starting with model year 2009. By 2016, cars
and trucks would emit 30% less global warming pollution. Because the
cleaner cars would also be more fuel-efficient, Oregonians will save
money at the gas pump. OSPIRG projects a net savings of more than $8
million annually when the program is fully implemented. The report also
estimated that the program’s requirements for increased sales of
advanced-technology vehicles will result in annual sales of at least
14,000 hybrids by 2016. As of April 2005, 5,253 hybrids were registered
in Oregon.
Oregon
is already seeing the effect of global warming. Scientists from the
Northwest have measured rising sea levels on the Oregon Coast, as well
as a 50% decline in snowpack in the Cascades in recent years, which is
reducing summer river flows and could affect farm irrigation and salmon
migration.
Last
month, auto manufacturers sued Oregon’s Department of Environmental
Quality to block adoption of the Clean Cars program. They were joined
in the lawsuit by Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli of John Day,
House Majority Leader Wayne Scott of Canby, and Representative Susan
Morgan of Roseburg.
“"It's
unfortunate that some legislators are helping the auto industry stand
in the way of common-sense global warming policy that's good for
Oregon's environment and good for Oregon's economy,” said Senate
Majority Leader Brown.
“We
all share the air around us,” said Rep. Macpherson. “Oregon needs to
say that curbing global warming and providing cleaner air for everyone
is more important than the profits of auto makers."
