First the coal, oil, and auto industries said global warming wasn’t a problem. But overwhelming scientific consensus says it’s already happening.

Then they said, even if it’s happening, it will destroy our economy if we try to regulate global warming pollution. But economists say that our economy will only benefit from increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Then they said it’s not really Oregon’s problem. Our state is too small to address global warming so we’re just going to have to wait until D.C. solves it.

Now, however, a growing number of state leaders from across the nation are realizing that global warming is here, that the federal government isn’t doing nearly enough to address it, and, most important of all, that states can and should play a prominent role in pushing past the politics and powerful interests that stand in the way of solutions.

Oregon Takes Action
Oregon’s leaders, we’re happy to report, are at the forefront of these efforts.

On Dec. 22, Oregon’s Environmental Quality Commission enacted the OSPIRG-backed Clean Cars program, with the state’s first-ever limits on global warming pollution from cars and trucks. (The rule was temporary; as this newsletter goes to print, a decision on making the program permanent is expected in June.)

Washington, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York enacted the program the same day. California, Vermont, Maine and New Jersey had made the move earlier. Massachusetts acted before the year was out, bringing the number of states enacting the program to 10, representing a third of the nation’s population.

And though the powerful auto industry continues to deride the effectiveness of the program—as their lobbyist testified at a Portland hearing on the Clean Cars program—new OSPIRG research, produced in partnership with other state PIRGs, shows that skepticism is a mistake.

Clean Cars programs in Oregon and other states are cutting global warming pollution on a scale of global significance. And they are cutting oil dependence and saving consumers money at the same time.

CARS AND GLOBAL WARMING—Global warming is already impacting Oregon’s coast, where scientists are documenting rising sea levels.

The Clean Cars Program
The Clean Air Act allows states to choose between complying with federal vehicle emission standards and adopting more protective standards known as the Clean Cars Program.

Unlike current federal standards, the Clean Cars program includes limits on global warming pollution. Beginning in model year 2009, the program will require automakers to reduce the average amount of global warming pollution from new cars, light trucks and SUVs.

By 2015, new cars will be required to emit an average of 34 percent less global warming pollution, and light trucks 25 percent less pollution. These aggressive standards will result in significant reductions in global warming pollution.

Making A Global Difference
Cars and trucks in the 10 states that have adopted the Clean Cars program are projected to release 364 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2020, the result of increasing vehicle travel, growing use of SUVs and light trucks, and stagnant fuel economy.

By adopting the Clean Cars program, however, annual pollution in these states will be reduced by an average of 18 percent. (See table.)

This cut in global warming pollution is significant on a global scale

• The annual savings projected for 2020 are equal to the global warming pollution of more than 140 of the world’s countries today.

• These savings are also equal to the amount of pollution produced by 17 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants in a year. That many plants generate enough electricity to serve 6.3 million homes annually.

• The cumulative global warming pollution reduction from the program between 2009 and 2020 are equivalent to taking 68 million of today’s cars off the road for an entire year.

Saving Energy, Saving Money
The Clean Cars program will also help break America’s addiction to oil and save money for consumers since automakers are likely to increase gas mileage as part of complying with the global warming pollution standards.

EFFICIENCY STANDARDS—Gov. Ted Kulongoski signs into law energy-efficiency standards for key products in Oregon, reducing global warming pollution. OSPIRG’s Jeremiah Baumann (far right) will now work with the governor to bring cleaner cars to Oregon. Also pictured, from left to right, are Reps. Bob Jenson (Pendleton) and Jackie Dingfelder (Portland), Mike Grainey, director of the Oregon Department of Energy and Jeff Bissonnette of Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board.

Depending on exactly how automakers comply with standards, the Clean Cars program could reduce gasoline use by as much as 7.2 billion gallons annually in 2020 – as much fuel as would be saved if every driver in America parked their cars for 19 days out of the year. Put another way, the standards could save as much gasoline as taking 13.1 million of today’s cars off the road, or nearly as much gasoline as is currently used by all the vehicles in the state of Florida in a year.

Reduced gasoline consumption means consumer savings at the pump. At today’s average fuel prices ($2.33 per gallon), consumers would save $16.7 billion at the pump in 2020.

Special Interest Influence
The states’ ability to act as laboratories of democracy and adopt their own pollution standards has led to cleaner air and technological advances that have benefited all Americans.

In coming years, states will provide America’s biggest contribution to curbing global warming.

Unfortunately, at every turn, major automakers have fought stronger emission standards in Oregon, in other states and at the federal level.

Automakers have now sued Oregon, New York and Maine to block state standards and have filed suit in federal court to undermine the ability of any state to adopt global warming pollution standards.

Efforts are expected this year in U.S. Congress to limit states’ ability to set stronger pollution standards for cars and trucks.

Continuing Efforts
As our advocates in D.C. work to block special interest efforts, OSPIRG will keep working to make sure Oregon continues to lead the way in curbing global warming pollution. OSPIRG student chapters are pushing their universities to adopt aggressive goals for cutting global warming pollution.

OSPIRG advocates in Salem are pushing state leaders to require utilities to generate 25 percent of the state’s energy from renewable sources like solar and wind power, and set higher energy-efficiency standards for buildings and appliances.

The federal government should follow the states’ lead by limiting global warming pollution from cars, power plants and factories, and taking other steps to reduce global warming pollution, save energy and save consumers money at the pump.