Thursday, June 16, 2011

Arizona Considers Repeal of Emission Rules

A proposal from Governor Brewer and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality would repeal Arizona’s tough vehicle emissions standards. Public News Service reports that under federal law, states can choose to follow the national EPA standards or the more strict California emission rules. Arizona and 12 other states follow the California emission rules.

The state is claiming that the federal standards are similar to the California standards but the benefits of keeping the California rules don’t justify the higher cost.

Arizona Public Interest Research Group Director Diane Brown says the state should be implementing not repealing clean air programs.

Gila County and Yuma County have received an “F” for ozone pollution along with the two metropolitan counties. Brown says clean cars produce less air pollution which reduces health problems, such as asthma attacks.

A public hearing on the repeal of the Arizona Clean Cars Program will be held on June 21 in Phoenix.

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