Concerned residents ranging from car dealers to fourth-grade students presented opinions about the Clean Cars Bill to the same state Senate committee that killed the bill two years ago.
The measure would bring California?s tougher emissions standards to new cars that are sold in Maryland, and would require car dealerships to sell more cars with advanced technology, such as hybrids. If passed, the law would be implemented in 2011.
The legislation has backing from the governor, senate president and house speaker, and is likely to pass in the house Environmental Matters Committee.
But the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which heard testimony in Annapolis Thursday, may be the biggest roadblock to the bill?s passage.
“I?m concerned about my [car] dealer in Cecil County who would lose a lot of business to Delaware” if the bill is passed, said Sen. Nancy Jacobs, R-District 34.
The Clean Cars Bill would cut carbon dioxide pollution in the state by 30 percent while increasing the price tag on new cars by $1,000, said Dan Meszler, of Meszler Engineering Service, citing research he conducted for the Maryland Department of the Environment.
“From a political perspective, the legislation you have before you gives the state of Maryland the opportunity to make significant progress with regard to air quality,” said Shari Wilson, the newly appointed secretary of the environment.
Consumers who paid up front for a car could offset the added cost in two to three years because they would spend less on fuel, Meszler said. Those who finance their car with monthly payments would begin saving money immediately, Meszler said.
“I think it?s going to be a problem if cars cost $1,000 more,” Paul Sheehy, of Sheehy Auto Stores in Upper Marlboro, said. “We want the committee to look at it and tell us how it will affect our industry.”
