Minnesota adopts a healthier emission standard

Minnesota is on track to become the 15th state in the nation to adopt healthier emission standards after an Administrative Law Judge approved the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Clean Cars proposal in early May and recommended its full adoption. The state legislature granted the MPCA rulemaking authority to protect air, waters, and lands when the agency was established in 1967. Therefore, it only makes sense they would take steps to regulate tailpipe emissions, as our transportation sector is now our number one source of climate change-causing pollution.

More electric vehicles are coming to the market each year. Just last month Ford announced their fully electric F-150. The Clean Cars rule will likely guarantee the truck is available in Minnesota, as states with these standards have greater access to new electric vehicles and a broader range of options on the market. That’s because the auto industry prioritizes sending more electric vehicles to states with low and zero emission clean car standards.

In addition, the Clean Cars rule does not require anyone to purchase an electric vehicle, it simply provides more choices for consumers interested in the zero emission vehicles and sets appropriate emission standards for new light- and medium-duty gas powered vehicles. We need to be proactive on the technologies of the future to stay competitive. This is good for Minnesota and our health.