New Hampshire to Benefit from Obama Administration’s Decision to Implement Clean Car Standards

CONTACT:
CLF — Claire Morgenstern, 617-850-1743, cmorgenstern@clf.org

CONCORD, NH (April 1, 2010)—Conservation Law Foundation has issued the following statement in response to the Obama administration’s announcement today of new federal standards for automobile fuel economy and global warming emissions. These new standards are based on the “clean cars program” developed by California and adopted by 13 other states, including Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The program is projected to save New Hampshire drivers 57 million gallons of gas and $157 million at the pump by 2016.

“Given that transportation is the single largest and fastest growing source of global warming pollution in New Hampshire, it’s fantastic that the Obama Administration has realized how crucial the clean car standards are to combating climate change,” said Tom Irwin, director of CLF’s New Hampshire Advocacy Center. “Having successfully worked to defend court challenges to clean car standards adopted by Vermont and Rhode Island, we at CLF are extremely pleased to see this program rolling out on the national level to cut down tailpipe emissions, improve air quality, and save Americans money.”

The Conservation Law Foundation (www.clf.org) works to solve the most significant environmental challenges facing New England. CLF’s advocates use law, economics and science to create innovative strategies to conserve natural resources, protect public health and promote vital communities in our region.  Founded, in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with offices in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.