Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Saint Paul, MN – Today, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced it will publish its draft Clean Car Standards on Monday, which would require new cars sold in the state to emit less climate-disrupting pollution. The rule also regulates that an increasing percentage of new cars sold in the state be zero-emission vehicles. With this rule, Minnesota joins 14 other states and the District of Columbia in adopting clean car standards.
The release of the rule kicks off a 60 day public comment period for Minnesotans to voice their support of clean car standards that will clamp down on emissions and toxic air pollutants, while putting money back into the pockets of consumers due to lower maintenance and gas costs, and saving Minnesota families millions of dollars annually.
Cars and trucks on Minnesota roads are the number one source of climate-disrupting pollution currently emitted in the state. For Minnesota to reach the goals and targets in the state’s Next Generation Energy Act, adopting the Clean Cars rule is a must.
During the comment period, Sierra Club will urge the Administrative Law Judge to recommend adoption of the Clean Cars rule for Minnesota.
“Minnesota will be the first state in the Midwest to adopt clean car standards,” said Sierra Club North Star State Director Margaret Levin. “Cars and trucks on Minnesota roads are the largest source of climate-disrupting pollution currently emitted in our state. And we are feeling the impact: our winters are warming 13 times faster than our summers and extreme weather is becoming more frequent. Cleaner cars are one step to helping preserve the Minnesota we know and love for generations to come.”
“More and more states across the nation are moving forward with bold policies to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and reduce toxic transportation pollution,” said Hieu Le, campaign representative with the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign. “Minnesota’s rule-making to adopt Clean Cars is a significant move in the Midwest and gives Minnesotans and residents in surrounding states increased availability to these clean vehicles.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.8 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.