Senate Leadership
July 25, 2006
Williams, Finch: New 'Clean Cars' Bill to Become Law Today
Establishes a Greenhouse Gas Labeling Program for New Cars
State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Sen. Bill Finch (D-Bridgeport), Senate chair of the General Assembly's Environment Committee, today lauded the new Clean Cars bill passed by the General Assembly in the 2006 session that becomes law today. The law establishes a greenhouse gas labeling program for new cars sold or leased for model years 2009 or later. The label will include a "greenhouse gas score," determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
It also provides for a $5 fee to be applied to the sale or lease of new vehicle and will be deposited into the "greenhouse reduction account." The state Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Governor's Steering Committee on Climate Change, will conduct a study to determine the motor vehicle greenhouse gas emission reductions necessary.
"The increased concentration of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide, in our atmosphere has the potential to affect our climate substantially," said Sen. Williams. "Since our vehicles emit these harmful gases, we fought for this legislation establishing a labeling program for new cars."
Added Sen. Finch, "The label will include a 'greenhouse gas score,' to help educate consumers on which vehicles are more environmentally sound. This bill is an important part of our environmental agenda designed to ensure we protect Connecticut's precious and limited natural resources."
The governor is scheduled to sign the bill into law later today.
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Senator Williams’ Larry Cook |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Larry Cook |
