PORTLAND – New cars and trucks sold in Maine will have to meet strict California-like emissions standards beginning in 2009 under new rules approved Thursday.

Maine becomes the second New England state and the sixth overall to adopt standards that aim to reduce emissions linked to global warming, officials said.

The regulations, which were approved unanimously by the Bureau of Environmental Protection, would be identical to those in California. They are expected to reduce global warming tailpipe emissions by 22 percent by 2012 and by 30 percent by 2016 for new vehicles, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

The new rules will cut pollution levels in Maine more than any other initiative to date, said Lynn Cayting of the DEP. It is important that states take the lead in cutting pollution, she said.

“When you think about it, the federal government has done relatively nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine called the vote a “giant step” in Maine’s commitment to address global warming.

“The techniques and technology have been proven, and the new generation of vehicles will also save Mainers money on gas,” said Jon Hinck, NRCM staff attorney. “Carmakers should just do the right thing.”

Maine is the latest state to adopt stricter emission standards in an effort to cut down on pollution linked to global warming.

Vermont last month became the first state in New England to adopt the new emissions rules, joining California, Washington, Oregon and New York. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey have been moving to enact similar rules.

If all 10 states adopt the standards, one-third of U.S. auto sales will have to meet the stricter emission standards, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

During the public comment period in Maine, the Department of Environmental Protection received 228 comments, 204 of which were in support of the proposal.

Supporters said the new standards will reduce pollution and protect the health of Maine residents.

But opponents, including car manufacturers and car manufacturing trade groups, said the changes will increase air pollution and drive up vehicle costs. They argued that the BEP lacked the legal authority to adopt the rules.

“If these regulations are adopted, the price of a typical new vehicle in Maine will increase by $3,000 or more without any identifiable health or environmental benefit,” said Eron Shosteck, spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

Shosteck said the alliance, which is based in Washington, D.C., has lawsuits pending challenging the regulations in California, New York, Vermont and Oregon.

“I can’t speculate on any future legal action,” he said.