Charles Rothenberger, staff attorney, Connecticut Fund for the Environment, informs, “These standards address engine technology, which will help lower carbon pollution...”
Connecticut Fund for the Environment (CFE) applauds news released on September 16th that the Obama administration proposed the nation’s first greenhouse gas standards. The EPA, in conjunction with the nation’s Department of Transportation, would mandate that by 2016, cars and passenger trucks achieve a combined average carbon dioxide emissions level of 250 grams per mile, equivalent to 35.5 miles per gallon, limiting global warming pollution and reducing gasoline consumption.
The proposed standards are roughly equivalent to the California motor vehicle standards, approved by the EPA in June, which were already adopted by Connecticut and 13 other states. This action essentially makes the Connecticut and California program a national standard.
“This is a step in the right direction, but it is only the first step” said Charles Rothenberger, staff attorney, CFE. “These standards address engine technology, which will help lower carbon pollution, but we must also address the growing number of vehicle miles traveled in order to make an impact on overall greenhouse gas emissions.”
In Connecticut, the transportation sector accounts for nearly 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions, making mitigation in this area critical in order to achieve reductions in climate change pollution.
