Proposed Rules Will Help Improve Air Quality and Protect Public Health

 

TRENTON— Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today announced proposed regulations that will improve air quality by reducing ozone, fine particles and toxic air pollution.  The proposed rules adopt the California Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards for new vehicles delivered for sale in New Jersey starting January 1, 2009.  These rules implement the Clean Cars legislation that was signed into law in January 2004.

 

“We can no longer ignore the dangerous effects of air pollution,” said Codey.  “These new rules will help save lives, clean our air and improve quality of life for New Jerseyans.”

 

“Motor vehicle emissions contain toxic substances that can cause serious health and environmental effects, including cancer, respiratory disease and birth defects,” said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley Campbell.  “Acting Governor Codey recently signed a bill to cut emissions from diesel powered vehicles. With this rule proposal, we are making progress in further reducing vehicle emissions to better protect public health and the environment.”

 

Under the Federal Clean Air Act, individual states must follow either the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) national auto emissions standards or adopt the California LEV emission standards.  As part of the state’s ongoing commitment to reducing harmful air pollution from motor vehicles, New Jersey has opted to establish more stringent standards than the Federal program by implementing California’s provisions.

 

Motor vehicle emissions are the biggest contributors to toxic air pollution in New Jersey.  Motor vehicles emissions are also primary sources of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in New Jersey.  These pollutants combine on hot summer days to form ground level ozone and contribute to the formation of fine particulate pollution.  By 2017, the low emission vehicle program in New Jersey will reduce oxides of nitrogen(NOx) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 6.8 tons per day.

 

The proposed rules, which are consistent with the California LEV Program, establish a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Credit Bank to allow automobile manufacturers to earn credits by selling either electrically powered cars, hybrid-electric vehicles or ultra low emitting conventional vehicles in New Jersey prior to model year 2009.  Those credits can then be used towards a manufacturer’s obligation to produce a percentage of ZEV vehicles, including electric cars, starting January 1, 2009.  The standards require that 11 percent of automobiles and light trucks delivered for sale in New Jersey be zero emission vehicles. 

 

The DEP is also proposing a provision to facilitate the vehicle manufacturers’ transition into the ZEV requirements.  The provision grants proportional credits to vehicle manufacturers based on ZEV cars previously delivered for sale in California.

 

A public hearing will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at the War Memorial in Trenton.  The comment period for the proposed rules ends on September 30, 2005.

 

Earlier this month, Codey, in another move to improve air quality in New Jersey, signed landmark legislation to cut exposure to harmful diesel emissions from school buses, garbage trucks, transit buses and publicly owned diesel vehicles. 

To view the proposed low emission vehicle rules, visit DEP’s Web site at:

 

 http://www.state.nj.us/dep/rules/proposals/080105b.pdf

 

DEP has published a list of clean vehicles that can help reduce pollution.  The list includes 31 model year 2005 gasoline powered automobiles that are ultra low emitting vehicles.  To view the list, visit DEP’s Web site at: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/cleanvehicles/