OSPIRG has been working to make sure Oregon adopts the Clean Cars program and takes on national leadership in the fight against global warming. The Environmental Quality Commission voted in December to adopt temporary rules putting the Clean Cars program in place, and the DEQ is now taking public comments to get public input before the Commission votes again in June on making the program permanent.

Cutting global warming pollution from cars is critically important; global warming is already starting to change Oregon. Sea levels on parts on the central and northern Oregon Coast are rising and snowpack in the Cascades is shrinking, leading to reduced river flows and less water available for irrigation, hydropower, and salmon migration. The Clean Cars program requires cars to emit 30% less global warming pollution starting in 2009.

The good news is that the Clean Cars program will cut smog, soot, and toxic air pollution that's in Oregon's air at dangerous levels. Clean cars will also go farther on a mile of gas, so Oregonians will save money at the pump. Cleaner cars will be cheaper to own than today's cars.

The auto industry has been pulling out all the stops to stop the program, including suing the state, so it's critical that thousands of Oregonians weigh in during this public comment period. The auto industry has gotten state legislators involved in their lawsuit, who could try to repeal the program when the Legislature reconvenes. They've also gotten allies in the Bush administration to attempt to block states from limiting pollution from cars and trucks. So we need to make sure that Oregon's elected officials hear from thousands of Oregonians that they want the Clean Cars program put in place.

For the last week, the Department of Environmental Quality has been holding hearings around the state on the Clean Cars program. Public support for the Clean Cars programs in hearings over the last week has been overwhelming. Last night, around 100 people showed up to the Clean Cars hearing in Portland. Only four people spoke in opposition to the program. That means that more than 200 people have been to public hearings around the state and Our environmental advocate, Jeremiah Baumann, testified on behalf of OSPIRG and also delivered comments from more than 800 Oregonians supporting the Clean Cars program. Oregonians have sent a clear message to elected officials: we're ready for the Clean Cars program, for curbing global warming, and for increasing Oregon's energy independence.

If you haven't commented yet, you have until Friday. To send in written comments, please click here or paste this link into your web browser:

http://ospirg.org/OR.asp?id=309&id4=ES

And please forward this email onto all your friends and family so we get as many supportive comments as possible!

Sincerely,
Maureen Kirk
OSPIRG Executive Director