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Maine Chapter - Sierra Club

April 11, 2005

Volume 3  No. 7

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Support L.D. 1465—A Resolve Regarding New Motor Vehicle Emission Standards (submitted by the Dept. of Environmental Protection)

THE ISSUE:

Maine is a part of the California Low Emission Vehicles Program (through the Clean Air Act). This bill helps clean up air pollution from Maine cars and trucks by setting goals to boost the number of cleaner cars available for sale in the state.  If passed, the goals would require automakers to sell cleaner conventional cars and hybrid cars—roughly 10% of new cars by 2009.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1.  Attend the Public Hearing:

     DATE:    Tuesday, April 12

     TIME:    2:00 PM 

     PLACE:  Natural Resources Committee Room #214

                     Cross Building (State Office Building) 2^nd floor.

2.  Write/Call/Email: Members of the Natural Resources Committee today and urge them to support LD 1465.  To the Natural Resources Committee – send to:

Sen. Scott Cowger, Rep. Ted Koffman and Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources

5 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0005 

Fax: 207-287-1457

Members of the Natural Resources Committee

Senator Scott W. Cowger (D-Kennebec), Chair - SenScott.Cowger@legislature.maine.gov

Senator John L. Martin (D-Aroostook) - SenJohn.Martin@legislature.maine.gov

Senator Lois A. Snowe-Mello (R-Androscoggin)

Rep. Theodore S. Koffman (D-Bar Harbor), Chair - RepTed.Koffman@legislature.maine.gov

Representative Joanne T. Twomey (D-Biddeford) - RepJoanne.Twomey@legislature.maine.gov

Representative Thomas B. Saviello (D-Wilton) - RepThomas.Saviello@legislature.maine.gov

Representative Judd D. Thompson (D-China) - Thompson106@yahoo.com

Representative Robert S. Duchesne (D-Hudson) - RepRobert.Duchesne@legislature.maine.gov

Representative Jane E. Eberle (D-South Portland) - RepJane.Eberle@legislature.maine.gov

Representative Robert A. Daigle (R-Arundel)* - rdaigle@gwi.net

Representative Henry L. Joy (R-Crystal) - RepHenry.Joy@legislature.maine.gov

Representative James D. Annis (R-Dover-Foxcroft) - RepJames.Annis@legislature.maine.gov

Rep. Kimberley C. Rosen (R-Bucksport) - RepKimberley.Rosen@legislature.maine.gov

State Capitol Phone Number for all Senators: 1-800-423-6900
State Capitol Phone Number for all Representatives: 1-800-423-2900

3.  Write a Letter to the Editor:  This is a powerful way of reaching elected officials and educating the public. Focus on:

·        The fact that thousands of cleaner vehicles would be on the road in Maine, reducing Maine’s contribution to air pollution and global warming. Cars and trucks in Maine are the largest source of in-state air pollution. 

·        On bad air days, over 100,000 Mainers feel the impact of air pollution. Maine has one of the highest adult asthma rates in the country- 8.9% according to the American Lung Association

·        Passing this bill would provide a clear market signal to automakers about demand for cleaner cars.

·        This bill would help meet current overwhelming demand for hybrids and introduce cleaner versions of conventional cars to Maine (California currently has 27 models of conventional cars—often top-selling models—that meet the sales goals standards).

·        Help increase energy independence

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact the Maine Chapter Office.

Sierra Club - Maine Chapter
1 Pleasant Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Phone: (207) 761-5616
Fax: (207) 773-6690
Email: maine.chapter@sierraclub.org

Web: http://maine.sierraclub.org/