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California coordinates efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.


Release 09-113
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2009
	  	  	

Stanley Young
ARB/PIO
916-322-1309
cell 916-956-9409



Suntanu Dalal
British Columbia
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9745
www.arb.ca.gov

British Columbia working with California to reduce vehicle
emissions

VICTORIA, B.C./SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - British Columbia and the
California Air Resources Board have signed a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) to pave the way for stringent greenhouse gas
emissions standards for new light-duty vehicles.

Environment Minister Barry Penner and John Yap, Minister of
State for Climate Action joined James N. Goldstene, executive
officer of the California Air Resources Board today to
acknowledge the agreement at a special, carbon neutral
video-conference event.

"This agreement demonstrates the strong partnership we have
established with the State of California and California Air
Resources Board," said Penner. "In the face of uncertainty at
international and national levels, we've been working across
borders and uniting in action as a Province and a State to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change."

"This international co-operation agreement extends the reach and
effectiveness of our programs beyond California's borders," said
Mary D. Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board.
"This will provide even greater market for the automobile
industry to provide the clean and efficient vehicles that
consumers are demanding."

The MOU commits the Ministry of Environment and the California
Air Resources Board to move forward in partnership in the
implementation of greenhouse gas emissions standards for new
cars, SUVs and light-duty trucks. Vehicle emissions standards
mirroring California's are projected to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from light-duty vehicles in B.C. by 30 per cent in
2016, relative to current vehicles.

Both parties to the agreement will share information and
resources to support consistent application of vehicle emissions
standards to vehicle models available in California and B.C. This
will include co-operation on vehicle test data and the
determination of greenhouse gas emissions associated with each
light-duty passenger vehicle included in a manufacturer's vehicle
fleet.

The California Air Resources Board is one of the leading
agencies in the development of climate change policy in North
America. The board is the primary agency responsible for
implementing California's climate change commitments.

"We look forward to strengthening our working relationship with
British Columbia to develop comprehensive greenhouse gas
standards for vehicles," said Goldstene. "This international
partnership will extend from policy development to close
co-operation between our respective staffs on all aspects of
testing and research."

"When it comes to taking action to reduce emissions from the
transportation sector, we couldn't ask for a better partner or
mentor than the California Air Resources Board," said Yap. "We're
very grateful for the support, and under this MOU we aspire to
bring the board's high standards for vehicle emissions to B.C.
and all of Canada."

To view the memorandum of understanding visit:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/pac/climate-action/docs/2009/mou_BC-CARB_VehicleEmissions.pdf
.

For more information on government services or to subscribe to
the Province's news feeds using RSS, visit the Province's website
at www.gov.bc.ca.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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