Massachusetts to Require 'Emission Performance Label'
to Help Motorists Choose Vehicles that Combat Climate Change

HANOVER - In the Patrick Administration's latest initiative to address global climate change, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Laurie Burt today announced that motorists will soon have an easy way to identify new vehicles that help cut down on smog and greenhouse gas emissions.

Starting with model year 2010 vehicles, an "Emission Performance Label" will be affixed to the driver's side window so that consumers will have information they can use to choose the most environmentally friendly vehicle that meets their transportation needs. Massachusetts is among the first states proposing to adopt the label developed by the state of California under its Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) program.

"Which car you buy makes a difference not only in how much it costs you to keep it running, but also how many greenhouse gas emissions you put into the atmosphere," Secretary Bowles said. "The Emission Performance Label will help motorists find vehicles that combat global climate change as well as get them where they want to go."

"More than 72,000 tons of global warming gases are emitted each day by the millions of cars and trucks that traverse the roads of Massachusetts," Commissioner Burt said. "One way to reduce those pollutants is to drive lower emission vehicles, and this simple ranking system will steer climate-conscious drivers in the right direction."

This announcement follows a historic legislative session in which Governor Deval Patrick worked with legislative leaders to enact six major pieces of legislation addressing energy and environmental challenges, including a new law requiring the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from all sources up to 25 percent by 2020, and 80 percent by 2050.

Under the Clean Air Act, California has the authority to establish vehicle emission standards stricter than federal rules, but must receive a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce the standards. Other states can choose to adopt the California standards and Massachusetts was the first state to adopt the California LEV program for passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles, in 1991. State law requires Massachusetts to update its emissions program to conform to California's, as long as it is stricter than federal standards.

Earlier this year, the EPA denied California's waiver, thereby preventing Massachusetts and nine other states from enforcing limits on greenhouse gas emissions - emissions associated with global climate change - through their vehicle pollution standards. Massachusetts and other states have joined with California to appeal this denial by the Bush Administration.

Approval of the waiver is not required for adoption of the Emission Performance Label, which includes a rating on greenhouse gases on all new vehicles.

The label, which is identical to the one developed by California, scores each vehicle's smog and global warming emissions on a scale from 1-10, with the highest scores being the cleanest vehicles. The smog score is based on the smog-forming emissions from the vehicle's operations. The Global Warming score is the emissions of greenhouse gas - carbon dioxide and other pollutants - from the vehicle's operation and fuel production. The average new car has a score of 5 on both scales.

The Emission Performance Label was unveiled today at McGee Toyota in Hanover. The labeling requirement will go into effect early next year following a public comment period.

"Our dealership is seeing more consumer interest in 'greener' vehicles, and this Emission Performance Label will help us educate consumers and provide the information they are asking for," said Rob McGee, owner of McGee Toyota. "Consumers today are definitely more conscious of the environmental impact of their vehicles."

"Clear information is a critical first step to helping Massachusetts consumers making the responsible choice when it comes to global warming," said Sam Krasnow, Attorney and Policy Advocate for Environment Northeast. "Massachusetts' officials are to be commended for this exciting new initiative."

"I am pleased that the EEA and MassDEP have chosen the Town of Hanover to announce this proposal to adopt the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Labeling Requirement for vehicles sold in Massachusetts," said Representative Robert Nyman (D-Hanover). "This new system will be helpful in assisting consumers to make conscious decisions about protecting our environment for today and for our future."

MassDEP will solicit public comments before the labeling requirement is finalized. A public hearing will be held Wednesday, December 10, at 1 p.m. at MassDEP's Boston office, 1 Winter St., and testimony may be presented orally and/or in writing at the hearing.

Written testimony will also be accepted until 5 p.m. on December 22, 2008. Written testimony should be submitted electronically via e-mail to: ngoc.hoang.tran@state.ma.us.

More information on the LEV Program and the Emission Performance Label can be seen at: www.mass.gov/dep/public/publiche.htm

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