Marcellino's New Environmental Legislation Promoting Purchase Of Green Vehicles Signed Into Law

Senator Carl L. Marcellino, Chairman of the New York State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee today announced that his legislation designed to increase consumer awareness about greenhouse gas emissionshas been signed into law. This law requires that automobile manufacturers to affix a global warming index sticker to new cars and passenger trucks beginning in the 2010 model year, detailing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. New York is the second state in the nation to pass this innovative environmental legislation.

Senator Marcellino, said: "Global warming is a problem that does not discriminate. From Long Island to Buffalo, its impact is alarming. Unfortunately, climate change is not high on the mental check list when a consumer chooses a vehicle. This new law will help New York drivers make informed purchase decisions about the vehicles they drive. Our State must be at the forefront of intelligent responses in the fight on global warming, and this is a great first step in the battle."

The requirement takes effect beginning with 2010 models, and applies to passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks with a gross weight of 8,500 pounds or less. Each sticker will include an index that (1) compares the emissions of global warming gases from the vehicle with the average projected emissions from all vehicles of the same model year, and (2) identifies the vehicle model within its class with the lowest emissions of that model year. The index would be based on emissions of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to warming temperatures worldwide, in addition to methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride.