Aug. 29, 2005 -- Coalition Launched in Support of Clean Cars
For Immediate Release: August 29, 2005
Contact: Chris Hagerbaumer, Oregon Environmental Council, 503-222-1963 x102
Coalition Launched in Support of Clean Cars
Clean Cars for Oregon Coalition thanks Governor Kulongoski for his veto, launches website
Portland, OR – A growing coalition of public health advocates, businesses, faith leaders, elected officials, environmentalists and others has joined together to ensure that Oregon adopts the more protective clean car standards now enjoyed by eight other states. (Washington State will also adopt the clean car standards contingent on Oregon’s doing so.)
States with clean car standards get to choose all kinds of new cars that Oregon can’t – car models that emit less smog, fewer cancer-causing toxins, and less global warming pollution. Those cars include SUVs and pickup trucks that pollute less because they utilize better pollution control technology. And states with clean car standards get more advanced-technology cars, like hybrids, without the long wait many Oregonians face.
At a press conference held today by Governor Kulongoski, the Clean Cars for Oregon coalition presented him with a letter of thanks for vetoing a recent attempt by the Legislature to prevent the Environmental Quality Commission from adopting the clean car standards.
The clean car standards are more protective of human health than the federal tailpipe standards. They will result in greater reductions in air toxics and “criteria” air pollutants that contribute to asthma and other respiratory illnesses, cancer and heart disease. As well, they will curb global warming pollution, which also impacts human health. In Oregon, the major health risks associated with global warming include the spread of insect-borne diseases traditionally found in warmer climates and an increase in unhealthy air days as hotter summertime temperatures produce more smog.
“The public health benefits of adopting stricter vehicle emission standards are clear,” said Sue Fratt, CEO of the American Lung Association of Oregon. “Oregonians deserve the same chance as citizens of clean car states to breathe cleaner air and lead healthier, more productive lives.”
Clean cars will put money back in Oregonians’ pockets because consumers will pay less at the pump for fuel. Consuming oil, natural gas, and electricity at high rates undermines the Northwest's energy security, making it vulnerable to disruption due to price spikes and even sabotage. Currently, nine million dollars per day leaves the Oregon economy for petroleum and natural gas products. The clean car standards will keep more money circulating in our regional economy by reducing the outflow of dollars to far-away oil producers.
Clean cars will also help Oregon reduce the significant economic risks associated with global warming. Oregon’s electrical power, water and agricultural systems are largely driven by the Cascade snowpack, which is declining rapidly because of global warming. Thus global warming will impact important Oregon industries such as skiing and farming. In addition, Oregon’s forests will be more prone to fire. Oregon alone can’t stop global warming, but by joining other states and countries to demand clean cars, we can help mitigate it.
To learn more and to see a full list of coalition members, visit the Clean Cars for Oregon website at www.cleancarsoregon.org or contact the coalition coordinator, Chris Hagerbaumer.
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