Maine approves new clean car standards: CLF plays key role.

• Position: Maine

THANKS TO CLF's ADVOCACY, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection approved new rules aimed at cleaning up air pollution by increasing the supply of fuel-efficient hybrid cars in the state. At the public hearing, CLF refuted the auto industry's objections point for point and demonstrated the importance of the new rules in the fight against global warming. Now the state legislature must approve the regulations.

The transportation sector is one of the largest and fastest growing sources of air pollution in the Northeast. The new rules, based on California's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standards, would require 10% of new vehicles sold in Maine to meet tough emission standards by the 2009 model year. These vehicles would include more hybrids and advanced gas-fueled vehicles that virtually eliminate tailpipe...