BOSTON—Environmental
and public health groups asked the state of Massachusetts to promote cleaner
cars today through a "Clean Cars Standard" at a hearing at the Department
of Environmental Protection today.
"Tailpipe emissions
are the single largest source of air pollution in Massachusetts," said
Carlos Alvarez, Executive Director of the American Lung Association. "The
resulting pollution creates ozone which is highly irritant to the lungs and
has been shown to worsen the health of those suffering from lung disease."
The Clean Cars Standard
would put tens of thousands more clean cars on the roads by 2007. Automobiles
contribute to approximately 40 percent of smog in Massachusetts, and the state
is out of compliance for federal smog levels.
"Since Massachusetts
is already in violation of federal ozone standards, the state should take every
step possible to reduce air pollution," said Jed Thorp, Energy Campaign
Organizer for Clean Water Action. "Adopting the proposed standards for
cleaner cars will be a huge step towards cleaner air in the future."
Advocates point to the Toyota
Prius, Motor Trend's 2004 Car of the Year, to argue that consumers are ready
for the new cleaner cars.
"These standards simply
keep pace with consumer demand for cleaner cars," said Nicole Jabaily of
MASSPIRG. "There are thousands of people on the waiting list for the new
Toyota Prius. The Clean Cars Standard will promote hybrid cars—cars which
are only different from conventional cars in that they pollute less."
Hybrid cars produce less
smog pollution and air toxics than regular cars, while getting 50-60 miles per
gallon.
