October 2004

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SACRAMENTO, CA - In what is described as the world’s toughest rule yet, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) late last month approved a new regulation that would sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions in cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, starting with the 2009 model year and achieving full force by 2016. The new rule is the outcome of legislation passed by the California legislature two years ago. Very important for its chances of surviving expected challenges from carmakers and perhaps even the federal government, the measure has the political support of California’s new governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Beyond its impact on California, the new rule is very likely to be copied by at least seven other states, including New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine, as well as Canada, tripling the number of cars that would be required to meet the rule.

The new rule is likely to be emulated in other parts of the world as well: “This landmark decision sets a course for California that is likely to be copied throughout the United States and other countries,” said CARB chairman Dr. Alan C. Lloyd. “Because of its forward-thinking approach, the ARB has established itself as the world leader in setting motor vehicle pollution control standards. Those standards have led to automotive technologies that dominate the way cars are built today and have significantly cut air pollution’s public health risk.

“This regulation will have the same impact,” he added. Dr. Lloyd was officially reappointed to the job in midmid-August, along with nine other board members by Gov. Schwarzenegger. Lloyd, originally named to the post by former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in 1999, served for several months on an informal interim basis after Schwarzenegger’s victory in last fall’s recall election that ousted Davis (H&FCL Nov. 03).

Reduce Greenhouse Gases 30% by 2016

The new regulation, described by ARB as “historic,” is based on state-of-the-art assessment of various technologies and fuels that can reduce global warming pollutants emitted by motor vehicles. According to analyses by ARB’s staff, the new standards would reduce automotive greenhouse gases from new cars and light trucks in California by about 22% in 2012 and about 30% in 2016, compared to today’s vehicles.

The extra costs for the added technology to meet these rules are expected to average about $325 per vehicle in 2012 and about $1,050 by 2016. ARB’s staff calculates that gasoline savings would, over time, more than make up for these costs.

But according to press reports, carmakers are disputing these estimates, saying the added costs would be much higher - about $3,000 per vehicle.

Apparently there no such rules anywhere else in the world, sources say. In Europe, which is frequently cited as an example of tough environmental laws, has only voluntary agreements to reduce greenhouse gases on the books of some countries, but no binding, enforceable regulations. Contacts: ARB (media), Jerry Martin, Gennet Paauwe, 916/322-2990, www.arb.ca.gov.