Global Warming

Clean Cars Program favored by 3 to 1 margin; high gas prices are key concern

Raleigh—Seventy-five percent of North Carolina voters favor the state taking action now to reduce global warming pollution, according to a recent statewide survey by Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling.  The poll, commissioned by Environment North Carolina, also shows that voters support the Clean Cars Program—one way of reducing global warming pollution—by a three to one margin. 

“The science is clear:  to avoid the worst impacts of global warming, we need to take bold, immediate action,” said Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford), Co-Chair of the Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change.  “By an overwhelming margin, North Carolinians are ready for us to rise to the challenge.”

Sixty-five percent of North Carolina voters also support the Clean Cars Program, which requires new cars, trucks, and SUV’s to emit about 30 percent less global warming pollution than today’s passenger vehicles.

Because more fuel-efficient cars emit much less global warming pollution, the Clean Cars Program is also expected to save consumers money on gasoline.  Fifty-two percent of voters listed rising gas prices as their top concern, crushing the other alternatives given, including possible recession and over-crowded roads.

“Voters are eager for solutions both to rising gas prices and the threat of global warming,” said Elizabeth Ouzts, State Director of Environment North Carolina.  “The clean cars program is a win-win for North Carolina, promising to cut pollution and save consumers at the gas pump.” 

The survey showed support for global warming solutions and the clean cars program across gender, party, and racial lines. 

Background on the Clean Cars program

The Clean Cars program originated in California, and has been adopted in 13 additional states, making up over a third of the nation’s new car sales. In December, however, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson blocked the program by denying California’s request for a waiver to enforce the program, stalling the program in all 14 states.  In so doing, Administrator Johnson went against the legal and technical advice of his own attorneys and scientists.   

More than a dozen states and several environmental organizations, including Environment North Carolina, are now challenging the EPA in court over the maneuver.  All three remaining Presidential candidates have expressed their support for states moving forward with the program.  And just this morning, a bill forcing the EPA to grant the waiver to California  passed the Senate Environment and Public Works committee.

State action

In light of the Bush Administration’s opposition to the program, Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford), along with Rep. Grier Martin (D-Wake) and others, will introduce a bill today requiring an examination of the costs and benefits to North Carolina of adopting the Clean Cars standards.  The bill, “Motor Vehicle Emissions Study,” would require a report back to the General Assembly in 2009, at which point the EPA is widely expected to drop its opposition—if the courts or Congress have not acted already.

On Monday, the state’s legislative Environmental Review Commission recommended the study bill over the vocal objections of Rep. Pryor Gibson (D-Anson) and others.