October 24, 2023 (PORTLAND, ME) – At a meeting today, Maine’s Board of Environmental Protection expressed support for new rules designed to increase the number of electric cars on the road in the coming years. However, the board indicated they would not continue with plans for similar rules for trucks. Today’s results are not final, as the board will have a formal vote soon. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
“Harmful emissions from fossil fuel-powered cars and trucks are driving the climate crisis and polluting the air we breathe,” said CLF senior attorney Emily Green. “The clean car standards will save lives and clean up our air. But our leaders need to go beyond the rule they’re considering and go all electric by 2035. And rejecting the clean trucks standards would be absolutely the wrong move. Our future health, air, and climate depend on us taking bold action today.”
The board is moving forward with rules requiring that 80% of cars sold be electric or plug-in hybrid by 2032. CLF and others are pushing to require all new cars sold be electric or plug-in hybrid by 2035.
A recent study from CLF found that the Advanced Clean Cars II rule would deliver nearly $17 billion in benefits for Maine’s families and businesses, including cleaner air, improved public health, and lower utility bills. Adopting the rule in full – through 2035—would bring $4 billion more to Mainers.
Experts are available for further comment.
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