Council Member Phil Mendelson is seeking to strengthen emission laws with a bill that would mandate all new cars sold or registered in the District comply with California emission standards.
The Clean Cars Act of 2007 is meant to lower pollution in the area and would add carbon dioxide to the list of pollutants in the vehicle standards, Mendelson said Tuesday. The bill is tied to similar legislation pending in Maryland.
“The idea is that we would be moving together on this, which makes it more feasible and also more effective,” Mendelson, D-at large, said Tuesday.
The California standards for low emissions have been adopted in 11 other states. Mendelson said the bill is also intended to pressure automakers to make better-conforming, less-polluting vehicles.
“I think it also puts a little pressure on the feds to tighten their standards,” Mendelson said.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies the District as a moderate violator of ozone standards. The American Lung Association has rated the District’s air quality as an “F,” Mendelson said.
“It’s harmful to human health. People die because of ozone,” Mendelson said.
