Global Warming in the News

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A study bill introduced in the North Carolina State House would aim to cut emissions from cars.

The “Clean Cars Program” has been adopted by 14 other states including California. It would require new vehicles to reduce emissions by about 30 percent to help fight global warming.

Bill co-sponsor State Rep. Grier Martin said people are concerned about the environment and rising fuel costs, especially when paired with the more miles people are driving and the rapid growth the state is experiencing.

"They are concerned about our lack of action on the state level,” Grier said.

Elizabeth Ouzts, with the group Environment North Carolina, said the program would help cut back on emissions and lower fuel costs for drivers, since lower emission cars typically use less gasoline.

"The clean cars program simply requires new cars to be cleaner than they are today,” Ouzts said.

A more emission-friendly car would cost drivers about $1,000 more according to Ouzts, but she said the fuel savings could add up to about $20 a month. She also said the program could cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars, trucks and SUV's by 10 percent by 2020.

John Policastro, who represents the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, said it's not practical to have different standards in different states.

"What the automobile manufacturers as well as the dealers would like to see throughout is a one unified standard so the same kind of cars that go to California go to North Carolina,” Policastro said.

Even if the study bill and Clean Cars Program passed it would have to wait on the Environmental Protection Agency for approval, which has been denied in other states, for now.