News in brief PORTLAND: CLEAN CARS AVAILABLE, STUDY SAYS

The Environment Maine Research & Policy Center released a report Thursday, supporting its claim that many popular vehicles can meet the strict emissions criteria that would be required for about 10 percent of all vehicles sold if a clean car quota is approved by legislators later this spring. About 85,000 gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles were sold in the United States last year, yet waiting lists of six to 18 months remain at New England dealerships. And many popular cars, including the Ford Focus, Subaru Outback, Toyota Camry, Nissan Sentra, Volvo S60 and BMW 325i meet the clean emissions standards for gasoline vehicles. Clean vehicles would not only reduce air pollution in Maine, they also would ensure a constant supply of these popular “clean” vehicles at Maine dealerships, the report said. A public hearing on the policy is scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 12 before the Natural Resources Committee, in Room 214 of the Cross State Office Building. The full report, titled “Ready to Roll,” is available for $10 by writing to Environment Maine Research and Policy Center, 39 Exchange Street, Suite 301, Portland 04101. For more information, visit the group’s Web site at www.environmentmaine.org. (Misty Edgecomb, BDN)