California Air Resources Board Commits to Cut Pollution from Vehicles
In its newly adopted scoping plan to implement AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) made a solid commitment toward cutting the global warming pollution from vehicles. CARB confirmed that they will implement a Clean Car Discount, or "feebates," program if the state's global warming standards for vehicles--the clean car standards--are blocked by the federal government or the courts. The Clean Car Discount would make cleaner cars and trucks more affordable for all Californians by establishing one-time rebates and surcharges on new passenger cars and light trucks based on the amount of global warming pollution they emit.
UCS led the campaign for feebates, delivering testimony and analysis, organizing broad-based sign-on letters, and submitting hundreds of postcard comments collected by UCS activists. CARB also committed to commission an expansive study of the complementary role a Clean Car Discount program could play in tandem with the clean car standards. UCS experts will continue to work with CARB and the state legislature to enact an innovative feebates program for California residents.
