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For Immediate Release
December 1, 2005
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White: PA Motorists Should Not Have to Pay for California Emissions Standards

Senator working to prevent DEP from adopting costly emission standards set by California.

Harrisburg – State Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) is joining fellow lawmakers in working to prevent a Rendell Administration plan to impose California vehicle emission standards on Pennsylvania motorists. 

White said the change would force Pennsylvania motorists to purchase more expensive vehicles and may ultimately lead to more expensive gasoline. The senator is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 1025, which would require the state Department of Environmental Protection to continue following the federal emission standards established in 2000.  Environmental groups have filed a notice of intent to sue the Commonwealth to force the implementation of California's standards in Pennsylvania. 

"Vehicles designed to meet California standards cost more to manufacture and rely on significantly more expensive fuel. They address California air quality problems – not ours.  The DEP plan would force Pennsylvanians to purchase these vehicles, which offer little if any environmental benefit over new federal standards," said White.  "Not only that, the DEP plan would have Pennsylvania standards set by the California Air Resource Board. That's just not acceptable." 

The federal Environmental Protection Agency last year cautioned states against over-stating the benefits of California's standards, saying they provide emission reductions of only one or two percent over federal standards, said White.  Under federal law, Pennsylvania can either choose to utilize the federal vehicle emission standards – called Tier II – used by nearly 40 states, or let California set its standards.  California is considering a new greenhouse gas rule that, if approved, could increase the average vehicle cost by $3,000. 

White, who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Roger Madigan (R-23) have written administration officials voicing their opposition to the proposed changes, and the manner in which the administration is going about it.  White will co-chair an upcoming Senate hearing on the issue. 

"We are extremely disappointed in the manner by which the administration has chosen to push through the California standards. This is an important issue, with significant environmental and economic ramifications, and should be debated honestly," said White.