Canada should get behind the Governator when it comes to cleaner cars

this is the first time that these standards have been raised since 1975. How did it make it through this time? Well, it happened because the vehicle manufacturers are trying to ward off even tougher standards coming out of California.

Due to a peculiarity of the U.S. Clean Air Act, California is allowed to adopt tougher standards than the federal standards and other states can choose to use the federal rules or California’s. Currently, at least 17 U.S. states (including biggies like New York) have said they’ll copy California. So have Canadian provinces like BC, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.

The federal standard doesn’t require any improvement until 2020, whereas the California rules would meet (or better – there’s a debate) the same level by 2016, and mandates steady improvements along the way. Given the need for fast action on climate change, this should be a no-brainer.

But even if you ignore the environmental benefits, more efficient cars make sense at a time when gas prices are rising.

Although the U.S. federal government is trying to block the California rules, the smart money is betting on California’s legal challenge to win, as they’ve already had a Supreme Court ruling in their favour and no one believes the EPA’s case will stand up in court.

There is gathering momentum behind the California rules, so Canada would be smart to go to where the market will be, rather than left behind as the market and the rules change in response to climate change and higher fuel prices.

In summary, we should be adopting the California rules. Unfortunately, the federal Transportation Minister signaled today that he wants to follow George Bush’s lead, but they haven’t closed the door on going further. So to find out how you can be part of the solution, go to The Good Life Advocacy Action.