Legislators consider California's "clean car" standards

Legislators heard Monday from both sides in a hot debate over whether to adopt California's "clean car" standards.

California and twelve other states plan to phase in strict greenhouse gas emissions rules. They're aiming for a 30 percent reduction by the 2016 model year.

Tom Cackette is an administrator with the California Air Resources Board. He says cleaner cars will cost about four-percent more than today's models.

"Interestingly, offsetting that higher cost is substantially improved fuel economy. In fact the savings in fuel is enough to pay back that $1,000 initial cost in three years at today's gasoline prices," Cackette said. Auto industry representatives warned the rules would restrict the number of trucks and SUVs on the market.

But at least in the early years, California has stricter rules for cars, and more lenient standards for pick-ups and SUVs.

The hearing in the House Agriculture Committee was for informational purposes only. Companion bills in the House and Senate have been approved by several other committees.

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