For nearly a decade, Maine has followed California’s standards for motor vehicle emissions, reducing pollution and saving drivers money. Now Maine must take the next step by amending its motor vehicle standards to conform to California’s updated regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. It is especially important that the Board of Environmental Protection approve the revised rules to remain in compliance with

federal clean air requirements.

In 1993, Maine joined with other New England states in adopting California’s Low Emission Vehicle program, which set stricter standards for vehicle emissions than the federal government. The CAL-LEV rules have been amended several times and Maine has followed suit. The most recent revision requires that starting in 2009 approximately 11 percent of vehicles sold by dealers in Maine meet low pollution standards such as those achieved by hybrid electric-gasoline vehicles.

The revision to be considered by the BEP on Thursday will, for the first time, require emissions reductions among all cars on the road, not just small classes of cars. By 2012, tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases, which are linked to global climate change, will have to be reduced by 22 percent compared with the 2002 fleet. The reductions would increase to 30 percent by 2016. Much of the technology to get such reductions, such as variable valve timing and cylinder de-activation, is already used by automakers in some of their vehicles.

Enactment of such standards was the second highest priority in the state’s Climate Action Plan behind offsetting carbon emissions through renewable energy projects, efficiency gains, forestry practices and other means. Because adopting California’s vehicle emissions standards will reduce other pollutants and improve fuel efficiency, this will actually save consumers money.

To achieve the 2012 standards, each new car will cost an additional $327, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Due to improved gas mileage, it would take less than a year to recoup this cost and a driver would save nearly $3,000 over the life of the vehicle.

Approval of these new standards is also necessary to keep Maine in compliance with federal clean air act requirements. Because parts of Maine violate ground-level ozone standards, the state had to develop a plan to improve air quality. A large part of the plan was to reduce vehicle emissions by following California’s standards. If Maine does not continue to mirror California, it would have to develop a new plan that would likely require industry to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

In the Northeast, the transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gases. In Maine, cars and trucks are responsible for half the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, far above the regional average of about 30 percent.

Requiring cleaner cars in Maine is good for the environment and consumers.