Maryland House Approves Cut in Car Pollution

Higher Gas Mileage Would Be Required

The House of Delegates overwhelmingly approved legislation yesterday that could make Maryland the 12th state to force carmakers to slash emissions thought to cause global warming.

Senate leaders predicted approval of a similar bill this week, and Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) has pledged to sign the legislation.

The stricter standards for cars and trucks hitting dealerships in 2010 would put Maryland in the forefront of states seeking to slow climate change, environmentalists said. But automakers said the requirements would raise prices and reduce choices for consumers — to make way for more fuel-efficient cars, fewer sport-utility and other large vehicles would be on the market.

Because the best way to reduce gases is to use less fuel, the legislation would require vehicles to be more fuel efficient. The law is designed to raise the state’s average fuel efficiency for new vehicles sold in Maryland to 43 miles per gallon. The current average for light trucks and SUVs is 22.2 mpg and for cars, 27.5 mpg.

Washington Post