http://www.komotv.com/stories/38680.htmSALEM, ORE. - Despite an effort by the auto industry, Oregon and Washington are getting ready to adopt California's new vehicle emission standards to cut down on greenhouse gases. When that happens, California's new emissions standards - the toughest in the country - will be in effect along the entire West Coast from Canada to Mexico.
It's an environmental squeeze play - with states on the two coasts working to try to force the auto industry to turn out cleaner, more fuel efficient cars, since those states comprise nearly a third of the U.S. car market. "People realize that having more advanced-technology cars on the road will enhance our oil security and begin to address global warming issues," says Rob Sargent of the Boston-based National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups.
While the movement has gained little traction in the Midwest and the South to date, it's gotten a huge boost with the three West Coast states unifying around the tough new California standards.
"Despite what the Bush folks say, more people are realizing that global warming is a problem that we we need to begin to address," he said. Besides the three West Coast states that are moving to adopt the new emission standards, six Northeast states are expected to finalize rules by the end of this year - New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine.
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