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Global warming solutions on horizon for NC

Clean cars would cut rising emissions

When it comes to global warming, the stakes are high for North Carolina. More than 3,000 miles of coastline make it the nation’s third most vulnerable state to rising sea levels. Increasingly, heavy rainstorms punctuating long dry periods could lead to more floods, and higher temperatures will cause more smog and haze in our mountains and metropolitan areas.

This summer, Environment North Carolina is urging lawmakers to make North Carolina the latest state to implement global warming pollution standards for automobiles, helping the Tar Heel state turn the corner on rising emissions of greenhouse gases. 

The Clean Cars bill would require new cars sold in North Carolina to emit significantly less global warming pollution than today’s cars—slashing greenhouse gas emissions versus projected levels by an estimated 10 percent.

With vehicle travel miles growing faster than the state’s population, less polluting cars are critical if North Carolina is to help the nation reduce greenhouse gas emissions 15 to 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050—reductions scientists believe are necessary to avoid the worst effects of global warming.

Automakers already have the technology ready to be deployed in a dozen or more other states, more than a third of the nation’s automobile fleet. They can build more efficient cars and trucks that emit less global warming pollution. And because these vehicles are more efficient, they’ll also save consumers money.

Despite the benefits of the Clean Cars standard, the measure isn’t without opposition. Auto companies vigorously fought against the standards in California, where the regulations originated, and in states that followed California’s lead. Last year, the Bush administration rejected California’s request to implement its global warming-emissions standards.

Even facing powerful opposition, Environment North Carolina Director Elizabeth Ouzts is optimistic: “We’re hopeful that the North Carolina General Assembly will jump at the chance to make a real dent in global warming pollution and save consumers at the gas pump at the same time.”

Under the Clean Cars Program, new vehicles would pollute 25 percent less in model year 2009.