Legislature should join clean cars push

When President Barack Obama directed the EPA to reconsider 14 states' requests to impose strict limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, he paved the way for the state of Illinois - the 7th largest source of global warming pollution in the country - to become the Midwest's leader in addressing climate change.

Through his directive, President Obama sent a strong signal to the nation that pollutants from cars can and should be regulated by aggressive state-level standards - exactly the kind of standards found in the Illinois Clean Cars Act.

This bill, sponsored by Rep. Karen May and Sen. Terry Link, enables Illinois to join 14 other states that have automobile tailpipe pollution controls up to 30 percent stronger than existing federal standards.

If passed this year, the Illinois Clean Cars Act would make Illinois the first state in the Midwest to adopt these standards and create an economic tipping point for manufacturers to invest in clean car technology. The benefits of the Illinois Clean Cars Act are many:

• It would help our economy by saving the average Illinois family hundreds of dollars a year at the gas pump through increased fuel efficiency.

• It would enhance national security by decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.

• It would protect public health by cutting soot, smog, and cancer-causing air toxics.

• It would help address Illinois' contribution to global warming.

What's more, Illinois citizens want to see this kind of bold action. A May 2008 ICAN poll found nearly 89 percent of surveyed Illinoisans support clean cars legislation.

It's time for our political leaders to step forward and support this vital legislation. We urge the Illinois General Assembly to capitalize on this opportunity to follow through on President Obama's directive and pass the Illinois Clean Cars Act.

Gail Philbin

Interim Director

Illinois Environmental Council