Maine will not join 13 other states in adopting pollution reduction program; state at risk of not meeting climate goals
Augusta – Today, after more than a year of rulemaking and public engagement, Maine’s Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) voted not to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) rule, leaving billions in health and consumer savings off the table.
The decision is a dramatic departure from Maine’s decades-long commitment to protecting the health of communities by using science to reduce pollution from cars and trucks. It is the first time since 2001 that the BEP has chosen not to adopt stricter tailpipe or fuel efficiency standards.
Clean air advocates, scientists, local business owners and climate leaders across the state have called on the Maine BEP for more than two years to pass stronger tailpipe pollution standards to improve air quality, expand consumer choice, and increase accessibility of zero emission vehicles in Maine. It is estimated that if the rule were passed it would generate $16.9 billion in benefits to Mainers.
“Maine regulators had a chance to cut climate-damaging emissions, clean up the air we breathe, save Mainers billions in fuel costs – all while improving our health and the health of the planet,” said Emily K. Green, Senior Attorney at Conservation Law Foundation. “This is a missed opportunity and will severely hurt Maine’s families and businesses. Thirteen states, including our neighbors Vermont and Massachusetts, have adopted clean car standards. It is a shame that disinformation and partisan scare tactics seem to have won today.”
“Today, the Board has willingly fallen prey to the fossil fuel industry’s misinformation campaign peddled by Republican leaders,” said Matt Cannon, Conservation and Energy Director, Sierra Club Maine. “The gas and oil industry would like Maine to continue burning fossil fuels and delay adopting common-sense solutions, like ACCII, that address the climate crisis and protect consumer costs. Because of the BEP decision, Mainers will be unable to access zero-emission vehicles as easily. We will not meet our state-mandated emission reduction targets. It’s a disappointing day for Maine.”
The urgent need for climate action in Maine is more evident than ever – in the past year Mainers have faced increasingly severe, climate-driven storms and floods. In December, the severe storm delayed the ACCII vote and now life-saving climate action is being blocked by the BEP. Without the ACCII Maine will not meet its mandatory climate targets of reducing emissions 45% by 2030.
“Today’s vote sets the stage for Mainers to spend more on gas, face fewer choices as they look for new cars, and experience more asthma attacks and hospital visits because of dirty air,” said Josh Caldwell, Climate and Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. “Zero-emission cars and trucks are a proven technology that present a perfect opportunity to improve the health of Maine people, save them money, and help us avert the worst impacts of climate change. We can choose this brighter path forward for Maine despite today’s setback by working together on clean air solutions.”
“BEP’s decision today is deeply disappointing. The science is clear: without sound policies to reduce pollution, the impacts of climate change will pose ever greater risks to Maine — now and for generations to come,” said Paulina Muratore, Transportation Campaign Manager at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Switching from gasoline and diesel engines to electric motors is one of the most effective ways to reduce this damaging pollution. ACCII would have provided a clear and achievable roadmap to a cleaner future and would have given consumers more electric vehicle choices. Maine is now significantly falling behind on the road to clean transportation.”
Transportation is the most polluting sector in the state, accounting for nearly half of the emissions in the state. The ACCII would set an increasing sales target for new electric vehicles in the state, culminating in 82% of new car sales by 2032. With electric vehicle (EV) sales rising every year and the price of EV cars dropping – this is a transition that is already happening. The ACCII would have put Maine on track to meet the state’s climate goals and join their neighbors, including Vermont and Massachusetts, on adopting clean car standards.
The EPA’s light-duty standards for model years 2027-2032 that were announced today are weaker than initially proposed and not strong enough to address Maine’s air pollution and meet Maine’s mandatory climate targets.
