Next ABQ Sierra Club Program: Clean Cars

From Michal Mudd, Group Chair, Sierra Club Central New Mexico Group: Please join us to hear Lauren Ketcham of Environment New Mexico speak on "Bringing Clean Cars to New Mexico."

Next Sierra Club Program
Tuesday November 20, 7-9 PM
UNM Law School, Stanford & Tucker Blvd., Room 2405, ABQ

In 2000, transportation was responsible for more than one-quarter of the state's carbon dioxide emissions. If current trends continue, transportation-sector global warming emissions in NM could increase by more than 50 percent between 2000 and 2020. Trucks, cars and other vehicles in New Mexico also create smog and air pollution. Luckily, the technology exists to make cleaner cars that can help to reduce the state's global warming and air pollution emissions. But auto-makers and auto-dealers have been slow to embrace cleaner cars.

The Clean Cars Program sets strict standards for traditional air pollutants. The program would also reduce global warming, requiring that by 2016, new cars would emit 34 percent less global warming gases, while light-duty trucks would produce 25 percent less. Twelve states have already adopted these cleaner standards.

The state's Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG) analyzed the Clean Cars Program and found it to be THE MOST cost-effective way to significantly reduce New Mexico's global warming emissions. Following the unanimous CCAG vote, Governor Richardson announced his support for the program and directed the New Mexico Environment Department to draft regulations for administrative adoption. Rule-making hearings for Clean Cars have been scheduled before the Environmental Improvement Board and the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board.

HOWEVER, auto dealerships in New Mexico, as well as some state legislators, are fighting the proposed regulations hard.  Environmental activists need to make  their voices heard as well.  Please come to our general meeting, and learn how we can help bring cleaner cars to New Mexico.

Editor's Note: Click for more info on the Clean Cars Program.