Autos and Illinois
Clean cars would have an enormous impact on Illinois. Lower air pollutants would help people with asthma (Chicago has one of the worst asthma rates in the country) and reduce the amount of toxic chemicals released into our atmosphere. The California Clean Car standards, if implemented in Illinois, would reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds by 4 tons per day and nitrous oxides by 6.6 tons per day, according to the Illinois EPA. These pollutants are the major contributors to Illinois’ ozone pollution problems.
The Illinois EPA also estimates that the California standards would mean approximately 1.2 billion fewer gallons of fuel consumed by 2030. Not only is that good for our air, it’s good for our wallets. The University of Illinois Regional Economics Applications Laboratory estimates that 68 percent of the savings to drivers would be spent on goods and services in Illinois, instead of exporting our dollars to where the oil is extracted and refined, with a net economic infusion of $6.1 billion, leading to a net growth of more than 38,000 jobs in the state.
Illinois Moving Toward Clean Car Legislation
In 2009, the Illinois Clean Car Act was introduced into the 96th Illinois General Assembly via two bills: HB422 sponsored by Rep. Karen May and SB1941 sponsored by Sen. Jacqueline Collins. The act would enable Illinois to join 14 other states that have auto tailpipe pollution controls up to 30% stronger than existing federal standards.
The benefits of the Illinois Clean Cars Act are many. The measure would help our economy by saving the average Illinois family hundreds of dollars a year at the gas pump through increased fuel efficiency. It would enhance national security by decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, help fight global warming, an dprotect public health by cutting soot, smoke and cancer-causing air toxins.
The Illinois Clean Cars Act is just one facet of a multi-tiered legislative approach to curbing global warming being crafted by the Illinois Climate Action Network. The group is also working on measures that involve carbon caps, building energy efficiency and natural gas efficiency.
Clean Cars Implementation
The major automakers have been fighting to keep state clean car standards from going in to effect. In 2004, they filed suits in state and federal court in California, Vermont and Rhode Island to keep the states from implementing vehicle global warming pollution regulation. In September 2007, Vermont U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions rejected all of the carmakers' and dealers' challenges to the standards, ruling that carmakers can meet new clean car standards. The California case is still pending, but the Vermont ruling sets a very strong precedent.
Also ongoing is the issue of federal approval. To implement the clean car law, California must seek a waiver from the U.S. EPA under the Clean Air Act. California requested the waiver in December 2005, but the US EPA refused to act on the waiver. California sued the federal government to get them to act on the waiver and Illinois is one of 14 states that have joined California in its lawsuit.
In January 2009, President Barack Obama directed the EPA to reconsider the states' application to impose stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, paving the way for Illinois -- the 7th largest source of global warming pollution in the country -- to become a leader in the Midwest in addressing climate change.
