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Welcome to the California Clean Cars Campaign eNews.
The California Clean Cars Campaign comprises diverse constituencies that support strong standards for California's groundbreaking Clean Cars Program. We are working to bring the next generation of advanced, clean cars into the driveways of California families.
The eNews brings you the latest information on the Clean Cars Program, related events and activities, and opportunities to show your support for clean cars.
Thank you for your interest. |
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 In the News
Forbes
"Who Buys The Most Hybrid Cars? Northern Californians, Report Says"
- January 3, 2013
Detroit News
"GM: Volt sales tripled in 2012" - January 2, 2013
Autoblog Green
"EPA grants waiver to California's Clean Cars Program"
- December 27, 2012
Forbes
"What's Gone Wrong With The Electric Vehicle Market? Nothing." - December 20, 2012
Consumer Reports
"Chevrolet Volt Tops Consumer Reports' Owner-Satisfaction Survey for Second Straight Year" - November 29, 2012
USA Today
"'Motor Trend' names Tesla as 'Car of the Year'"
- November 13, 2012
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Clean Cars Milestones
EPA's Holiday Gift to California: A Waiver
 On December 27, U.S. EPA granted California's Clean Air Act waiver request, enabling the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to implement its Advanced Clean Cars Program, including strong smog and particle pollution controls, greenhouse gas emission (GHG) standards, and the Zero Emission Vehicle Program.
EPA's decision represents a victory for California's air quality, economy and consumers. Read the California Clean Cars Campaign news release, with statements from all four Campaign co-chairs.
Receiving this waiver from EPA was the final step in the state's current clean cars regulatory process. The Clean Air Act expressly recognizes California's unique right to set vehicle emission standards that are stronger than the federal standards because of the state's compelling and extraordinary air pollution problems.
The law also allows other states to adopt California's stricter standards. When the standards are fully implemented in states that have signaled plans to adopt California's rules, about 40 percent of cars sold in the United States will meet California's Advanced Clean Cars Program.
EPA's action brings to a historic close an extraordinary year that saw the adoption of both California and federal rules to cut emissions from new cars in 2017-2025.
While California has agreed to accept the federal vehicle greenhouse gas standards as functionally equivalent--this action occurred at the November 2012 ARB meeting--the California rules still are more stringent than the federal smog and particle pollution standards.
California's rules also include the Zero Emission Vehicle Program, which is helping advance the newest zero emission vehicle technology, like battery-electric, plug-in hybrid cars that are coming to market now, and fuel cell cars, which are in the demonstration phase. Together, these components of the Advanced Clean Cars Program demonstrate that the state is taking needed action to protect public health and clean up the air.
EPA has granted more than 50 California waivers in the last four decades, clearly recognizing the state's successful track record and leadership in setting pioneering standards that have benefited not only California, but the nation as a whole.
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| State and Federal News
Changing of the Guard at ARB and U.S. EPA
The California Clean Cars Campaign bids farewell to Tom Cackette, who retired last month from his post as deputy executive officer of the California Air Resources Board (ARB), and welcomes Alberto Ayala, Ph.D., to the position.
Cackette oversaw the state's adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars Program in 2012 and served as the technical lead on the state's interactions with federal regulators for the national vehicle greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards, also adopted in 2012. Cackette had a long history with ARB's Mobile Source Control Division, having also overseen the agency's adoption of the first Clean Cars Program in 2004, numerous updates to California's Zero Emission Vehicle rules, and a host of standards for trucks, buses and off-road vehicles.
Most recently, Dr. Ayala was the chief of ARB's Monitoring and Laboratory Division. He has more than two decades of managerial experience in the development and implementation of air quality monitoring and air pollution control measures, including a wide range of vehicle-related regulations. The California Clean Cars Campaign looks forward to a productive working relationship with Dr. Ayala.
Similar staffing changes have occurred at U.S. EPA. Christopher Grundler is taking over the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, which helped design the new federal vehicle standards. Grundler replaces Margo Oge, who also retired. Like Cackette in California, Oge was a key leader in the federal agency's adoption of the new federal vehicle standards.
Over the holidays, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced plans to step down in January. Among the names being suggested for Jackson's replacement is ARB Chairman Mary Nichols, as discussed in this December 28 San Francisco Chronicle story. |
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 Campaign Supporter and Related Clean Cars Highlights
Clean Cars Campaign endorsers continue to actively support clean cars and clean air:
- Shannon Baker-Branstetter of Consumers Union* submitted a letter-to-the-editor to Automotive News in response to an editorial critical of California's Zero Emission Vehicle Program. The letter was published December 17:
"...There's a chicken-and-egg problem that solidifies oil's near-monopoly on transportation. Markets alone can't fix that. Consumers want more clean-car options and recognize that it takes coordinated public policy to deliver cost-effective choices in the long term. California's Advanced Clean Cars Program (including the ZEV mandate) and other efforts in the state are timing the delivery of fueling infrastructure with alternative-fuel vehicles that will give consumers the choices they want..."
*Campaign Supporter/Advisory Committee Member
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Sincerely,
The California Clean Cars Campaign Team |
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