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WASHINGTON - Senator Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., released the following statement in response to the Clinton Administrations finalization of Tier II emissions standards for cars and light trucks.
“On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I would like to commend President Clinton and Administrator Browner for their leadership in finalizing the Tier II standards for cars and light-duty trucks. For states like ours, a strong national program to control emissions from cars and trucks is critical to our ability to provide clean air for our citizens.
“The new standards will go a long way toward reducing pollution and improving the health of Americans. One recent study found that reducing the levels of sulfur in gasoline, to the levels the President has requested today, would be equivalent to removing nearly 54 million vehicles from America's roads. For the citizens in the New Haven region, the new standard will translate into air quality benefits equivalent to removing roughly 264,000 cars from the road.
“When Congress passed the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, none of us anticipated how the demand for sport utility vehicles and light trucks would soar. The number of larger, light duty personal vehicles on the road has doubled since 1970, and the number of miles Americans are traveling each year has doubled over this time period, as well. Until today, the emission standards for these larger cars has been two to five times lower than for passenger cars, leading to higher levels of ozone and particulates that decrease lung function and cause respiratory problems like asthma. Under today's proposal, for the first time, these vehicles will have to meet the same protective standards as other passenger vehicles.
“The new proposal will help us all breathe easier, while helping to pave the way for the low and ultra-low emissions vehicles of the future.”
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