Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Saint Paul, MN – Today, a Minnesota administrative law judge strongly affirmed the state’s effort to adopt Clean Cars Minnesota, a set of standards that would require new cars sold in the state to emit less climate-disrupting pollution and increase the availability and sales of zero-emission cars.
The judge’s decision found that Clean Cars Minnesota is a necessary and reasonable step to tackle the state’s climate challenges, clearing the way for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to formally adopt the program and join 15 other states that have already done so.
Cars and trucks on Minnesota roads are the largest source of climate-disrupting pollution in the state and a significant source of toxic air pollution. Current estimates suggest that Clean Cars Minnesota will eliminate 1 million tons of climate emissions annually by 2030 and help put the state on track to meet its emissions reduction goals. It would do this by expanding consumer choice, allowing residents to purchase clean vehicles that are right for them, including some of the newly announced electric trucks headed to the market.
During two days of virtual testimony in February and throughout a public comment period that lasted through mid March, tens of thousands of people expressed their support for Clean Cars Minnesota for health, economic, environmental, and consumer reasons.
“Today’s ruling will help Minnesota address an outsized source of climate and air pollution and protect communities by improving air quality,” said Sierra Club North Star State Director Margaret Levin. “We urge the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to act quickly to get the program underway.”
“Minnesota is joining a wave of states across the nation moving forward with programs that will increase access to cleaner cars and trucks,” said Hieu Le, campaign representative with the Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign. “For climate action, public health protection, and consumer choice, Minnesota becoming a clean cars state is a significant step with major benefits.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.8 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.