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For Immediate
Release
11/22/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
House Inaction on Emission Bill Hurts Environment, PA
Consumers
HARRISBURG -- The
Pennsylvania House of Representatives today adjourned for the 2005-2006
legislative session without taking action on legislation that would have enabled
state motorists to purchase and register vehicles that meet strict federal
emission standards, according to Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Roger
Madigan (R-Bradford).
Madigan says the House inaction will leave Pennsylvania motorists open
to higher vehicle costs, fewer choices and cars that are not as safe --
all because it wants the state to meet emission mandates set by the
state of California.
"I'm
really disappointed that certain groups used misinformation and
strong-arm tactics to derail legislation that would protect our
environment and would have also given consumers wider choices and
greater safety," he said. "This issue will be before us again next
session, and the Senate will continue to push for legislation that would
require us to meet strict and responsible standards – not arbitrary
mandates from a state thousands of miles away."
Madigan pointed out that the vast majority of vehicles sold in
Pennsylvania already meet the California emission standards. Under
Senate Bill 1025, citizens who wish to purchase vehicles meeting
California's standards could do so but would not be subjected to a state
mandate.
"Mandating California standards would prohibit the top five performing
vehicles that run on diesel fuel from being used by state residents,"
Madigan said. "We should be promoting fuel efficiency rather than
limiting consumer choice."
He
also noted that if Pennsylvania mandates California standards, it would
have to also comply with legally suspect carbon dioxide ratings that go
into effect in California in 2009.
"More
expensive, lighter, less safe, less powerful and less useful vehicles
will be required to meet this standard," Madigan said. "As a result,
many motorists will choose to keep older, safer, more useful and more
polluting vehicles on the road longer. The net benefit will actually be
dirtier air and higher numbers of highway fatalities.
"Senate Bill 1025 was reasonable, bipartisan, pro-environment
legislation," Madigan said. "The fact that the House would not even
debate its merits is very disheartening, but we will continue to push
for this measure in the next session."
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