Requiring new cars to be clean cars was the single most important thing the Clinton Administration did this year to protect the public from air pollution. This action will prevent 2,400 premature deaths and tens of thousands of illnesses. With this rule, the EPA has made its New Year s Resolution to clean the air.
Passenger vehicles account for twenty percent of the nation s smog-forming pollution.
The rule also requires all passenger SUVs and trucks to meet the same tough new standards as cars. The rule, when fully implemented, is expected to reduce the nation s smog-forming pollution by 2 millions tons per year. This summer, U.S. PIRG and a coalition of environmental and health groups across the country campaigned to send a strong message to the Clinton Administration that cleaner cars and SUVs are a top priority for the American public. This rule was Number 1 on our Christmas wish list. Now we can all breathe a little easier.