Environment Oregon supports the Advanced Clean Cars II rule

The State of Oregon is currently considering the adoption of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II Rule, which would require all new car sales be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

Environment Oregon submitted these comments in support of the proposed rule:

Environment Oregon is a statewide environmental advocacy organization representing thousands of members across the state, working for clean air, clean water, open space and a liveable climate. 

We are writing in support of the Commission adopting the Advanced Clean Cars II rule this year in Oregon.

As you know, transportation is responsible for 40% of Oregon’s climate pollution, over half of which comes from passenger cars and trucks. In addition to climate pollution, poor air quality caused by burning fossil fuels in our cars and trucks causes toxic tailpipe pollution such as NOx, Particulate Matter (PM), and Ozone, which are linked to breathing problems like asthma in kids and adults, and higher rates of cancer, heart disease, and premature death.

We have the solutions we need to protect our air and climate, and that includes making bold moves away from burning fossil fuels in our transportation system and beyond, and powering our lives with clean, renewable energy. 

Setting an ambitious target of having all new car sales be zero-emission vehicles by 2035 will help to get more clean vehicles on the road, help us hit our climate pollution reduction goals, clean up our air, and take advantage of the fact that Oregon’s electric grid is getting cleaner every year. 

There’s no doubt that this rule would be a big change, and people have questions about how it will work. Certainly, there will be some bumps along the road, but we will all need to work together to figure it out. Because we have to. Because, knowing what we know about how our transportation system is impacting the planet and public health, we can’t continue business as usual. 

Adopting this rule in Oregon would put a mile marker on the road to the future that we want and need to build to ensure a liveable planet for generations to come.

Thank you for considering the adoption of this rule and for the opportunity to submit written comments.

Sincerely,
Celeste Meiffren-Swango

Oregon DEQ is accepting public comments until October 21st at 4pm. You can submit comments here.