Strock Praises ARB/AUTO Agreement, Highlights National Impact

For Immediate Release (C-06-96)
Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670
February 8, 1996

555 Capitol Mall, Suite 525
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 324-9670
FAX (916) 445-5563

SACRAMENTO - California Secretary for Environmental Protection James M. Strock released the following statement today in response to the announcement of final agreements between the California Air Resources Board and the seven major automakers subject to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulation.

"Today's agreement guarantees that California will lead the world in the use and demonstration of zero emission vehicles.  In addition, California's leadership will bring low emission vehicles to the other 49 states in 2001 - three years ahead of U.S. EPA's schedule.  By holding firm to our commitment to not sacrifice a single pound of emissions reductions in California -- and by making certain that our plan was conceived in California rather than Washington D.C. -- we are ensuring an extra 157 tons per day of reductions in other states by 2005."

"These agreements highlight the importance of California's commitment to advancing the development of clean air technologies.  While U.S. EPA had been willing to undercut the state's advanced technology programs in exchange for the 49-state car, California's firm resolve will keep America on the cutting edge of environmental improvement.  Today's agreement illustrates the environmental significance of protecting states' authority to go beyond national minimum standards."

"In a July, 1994 letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Carol Browner, I asked her personal intervention to restrain efforts by her staff to compromise state LEV/ZEV regulations in California and other states.  No doubt federal officials now recognize the wisdom of California's course, and we will seek their cooperation in implementing our new agreements."

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