CT Senate Passes Clean Cars 2 Initiative, Next Stop: Governors Desk

Legislation directs the DEP to develop financial incentives for new vehicles to address climate impacts

Hartford, CT (PRWEB) May 29, 2005 -- Members of the Connecticut Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation Thursday, May 27, 2005, that will direct the state to develop a plan to establish financial incentives to promote the purchase of low greenhouse gas-producing vehicles. The bill, which passed the House last week and is the first of its kind in the country, now goes to the Governors desk. The initiative directs the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection to bring a complete clean cars incentive program to the legislature next year.

"This bill puts Connecticut on track to be the first state to establish fleet-wide financial incentives for new cars and trucks based on their carbon dioxide pollution," said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense, a leading national environmental organization. We commend Connecticuts legislators for taking this far sighted step."

Carbon dioxide pollution from autos and other sources is accumulating in the Earths atmosphere and is disrupting the Earths climate. The global warming caused by emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will worsen Connecticuts smog problem, contributing to a health hazard for children, the elderly and asthmatics , those most susceptible to respiratory illness. By using existing technologies, automakers are able to reduce these emissions substantially without sacrificing performance, price, safety and other qualities consumers value.

We are extremely grateful to Connecticuts legislators who continue to develop meaningful solutions to improving the health of Connecticut residents by cleaning up the air they breathe," said Don Strait, executive director of Connecticut Fund for the Environment. With the Governors support, Connecticut will adopt legislation next year to create consumer incentives that will promote the purchase of efficient, lower greenhouse gas-producing cars and trucks in Connecticut."

According to Strait, there has been increasing awareness among Connecticut lawmakers about the importance of protecting our environment and improving the quality of the air we breathe. The strong bi-partisan support for the Clean Cars 2 initiative is the most recent example of state policy-makers commitment to helping clean our air and taking action against climate change.

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