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Some want cleaner cars on Illinois roads
By Mike Riopell
mike.riopell@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD — Cleaning up car exhaust could reduce toxins in the air by about 20 percent in 20 years, a study released Tuesday suggests.

The study was released as part of a push Tuesday by environmental groups asking Illinois lawmakers to raise pollution standards on cars sold in the state over the next decade or so.

“Cleaner cars on the roads mean cleaner air for our children to breathe,” said Howard Learner, director of the Chicago-based Environmental Law and Policy Center.

Illinois legislation has stalled since last year, though other states have raised standards, perhaps most famously in California in the early 1990s.

If Illinois was to follow, the federal Environmental Protection Agency would have to sign off. The agency recenly declined California’s request.

Environmental officials said they don’t think that will be a problem, as the case is tied up in court and incoming presidential candidates have promised to overturn that decision.

Opponents say allowing individual states to set gas mileage and pollution standards separate from the federal government can cause problems, essentially forcing manufacturers to follow different rules for different states.

“Our approach is there should be a national approach rather than state by state,” said Joe McMahon, spokesman for the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association.

The plan would force manufacturers to build cars that met certain standards that would increase over time. But people who own older cars not up to snuff wouldn’t be required to make costly repairs to their vehicles to meet standards.

The legislation is House Bill 3424 and Senate Bill 2238.

Take a look
A study released Tuesday was part of a push by environmental groups asking Illinois lawmakers to raise pollution standards on cars sold in the state over the next decade or so.
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Reader comments on this story - 5 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Woodford Pundit wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:03 AM:

" Thank you for the study.

Now go back to your offices on Wacker drive in Chicago and leave the rest of us alone. Let's not just beg Mitsubishi to close its plant.

I think the consumer (buyer) of autos can make the decision for themselves. I think the State of Illinois has proven it's inability to make or pay for any reasonable laws already on the books. I don't think we need more laws. It sounds suspiciously like a proposal for a new tax to me. "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Apr 2, 2008 1:23 AM:

" Is waiting 20 years for a 20% reduction worth the extra cost (and no doubt foot dragging by the car companies)? They'll just use this new standard as an excuse to jack up prices MORE than is required to cover the cost of the technological improvements. We may not even be using internal combustion in 20 years- so why start down this road? "

Mike wrote on Apr 1, 2008 10:01 PM:

" Howard Learner, director of the Chicago-based Environmental Law and Policy Center - here is a tip. If your so concerned I expect you to turn in your car keys TOMORROW and start walking, or riding a bicycle.

One more Environmental Nazi that KNOWS what's good for everybody else. "

Rolling Eyes wrote on Apr 1, 2008 9:06 PM:

" The gasoline-powered internal combustion engine cannot be made much more thermally efficient. You cannot wring blood from a stone, yet the standards will be increased. It's hard to make cars lighter with all of the heavy government-mandated safety equipment. Using ethanol further decreases efficiency as it has less energy per gallon than gasoline. "

Proud Conservative wrote on Apr 1, 2008 7:16 PM:

" Gee, what do you know. Another article about the environment. Lots of people getting rich of this hoax. Ooops, I said it. Let the ripping begin! "
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