Arizona has approved the rules that will cut greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and other passenger vehicles. According to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, vehicles produce roughly 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Arizona. The Clean Car Rule will reduce GHG emissions from passenger cars and light trucks by 37 percent by 2016 by requiring automobile manufacturers to meet certain specifications for the vehicles that are driven here. According to supporters of the measure, the technology already exists to produce cleaner vehicles.

Arizona has the fastest rate of growth of GHG emissions in the country. Between 1990 and 2005 Arizona’s GHG emissions grew by nearly 56 percent, roughly two-and-a-half times the national average. If Arizona’s growth continues on its current path, emissions are projected to grow by 140 percent over 1990 levels by the year 2020 and get even worse after that.

Arizona joins 13 other states, including California and New Mexico, that have adopted the Clean Car standards. Other states are also gradually coming on board with the rules. In Arizona, Clean Car rules will apply to vehicles beginning with the 2012 model year, pending EPA approval of the program.

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