[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Begins Formal Rule-Making Process to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Vehicles

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

ADEQ Begins Formal Rule-Making Process to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions
from Vehicles

PHOENIX (Nov. 26, 2007) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
(ADEQ) Director Steve Owens announced today that ADEQ has begun its
formal rule-making process to adopt a clean-car program with new
standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from passenger
vehicles. 

The new rules are being developed pursuant to an Executive Order on
climate change issued last year by Gov. Janet Napolitano.  The Arizona
Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG) unanimously recommended that
Arizona adopt the new GHG reduction standards.

During 1990-2005 GHG emissions in Arizona grew by 56 percent, the
fastest rate of growth in the country.  If unchecked, Arizona's GHG
emissions are projected to grow by 140 percent between 1990-2020 and by
200 percent between 1990-2040.  Roughly 40 percent of Arizona's GHG
emissions come from vehicles. 

"This is an important step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions in
Arizona and is a critical element in our effort to address climate
change," ADEQ Director Owens said.  "Our goal is to have a formal draft
rule proposed for public comment by the end of this year or early next
year, and to have the final rule approved by late spring or early
summer." 

The rules will apply to vehicles beginning with the 2011 model year. 

Arizona's rules will be based on the Clean Car program adopted by the
State of California.  States are authorized under the federal Clean Air
Act to adopt California's vehicle emissions standards.  

In addition to California, 11 other states have adopted the California
GHG vehicle standards.  They are Connecticut, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Vermont and Washington.

Along with Arizona, at least four other states - Colorado, Florida, New
Mexico and Utah - also have announced plans to adopt the California GHG
vehicle standards. 

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News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov.

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