           Home > News > News Item |
||||||
 |
News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
US EPA GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO RHODE ISLAND CLIMATE EFFORTS: ACCEPTS CALIFORNIA GREENHOUSE GAS VEHICLE PROGRAM PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management learned today that the US Environmental Protection Agency has approved California's request to establish greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for motor vehicles. Rhode Island is among the 14 states pursuing the California program in order to tackle head-on the threat of global warming.In addition to California and Rhode Island, the other states pursuing the California program are Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington. "In working with the states, the U.S. EPA is ensuring greener miles ahead for our state and country," said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. "The Northeast is one of the most congested regions in the country, and this move by the EPA will allow Rhode Island and the other 13 states to adopt stricter emissions standards for the millions of automobiles on the road. I commend the EPA for this move, as it marks a major step forward to improve our air quality." Under the federal Clean Air Act, California has the right to implement more stringent motor vehicle emissions standards than the federal limits, and other states have the right to adopt the California standards in lieu of the federal standards. The EPA must grant a waiver for the California standards to take effect. California requested a waiver from the EPA for its GHG standards on December 21, 2005. DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D., noted that the transportation sector contributes almost 40 percent of Rhode Island's greenhouse gas emissions. "Regulating emissions from new vehicles is a very efficient and effective means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The California emissions standards, which are the toughest in the nation, will significantly lower the amount of pollution and greenhouse gas that are emitted from vehicles purchased in this state and bring improvements in air quality," he said. The transportation and electricity sectors are the dominant sources of GHG emissions in the state, with transportation responsible for more than one-third of our state's total. Rhode Island has helped develop the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to reduce emissions from electricity generation and has adopted the California motor vehicle GHG standards for reducing emissions from transportation. In addition, Rhode Island is working with other states in the Northeast to consider the role of a low carbon fuel standard for achieving even greater reductions in transportation-related GHG emissions. The US EPA and the US Department of Transportation have signaled their intent to put in place motor vehicle GHG standards for the US which, when implemented, will be as stringent as the California standards. With implementation of the federal program, all vehicles in the U.S. will become part of the cleaner car standard. -30- |
|||||
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer