Landmark Law Regulates Auto Emissions

from "Public Policy Update", Breathe Easy news magazine, Fall 2002/Winter 2003

Governor Gray Davis signed landmark legislation into law in July that makes California the first state in the nation to require automakers to reduce greenhouse gases from motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles. The American Lung Association supported the groundbreaking law (Assembly Bill 1493, Pavley, D-Agoura Hills), which carries huge implications for the rest of the country because Californians buy 10 percent of all vehicles nationwide.

The new law requires the California Air Resources Board to come up with feasible and cost-effective new rules by January 1, 2005, to reduce vehicle emissions. However, the new rules will not take effect until the 2009 model year. Because California is such a huge market, it could force manufacturers to make all U.S. cars more fuel efficient in the coming decade.