SACRAMENTO - California Air Resources Board Mary D. Nichols issued the following statement today on USEPA's announcement of its proposed rule for cleaner cars and fuels: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/tier3.htm

"Working together, EPA and California are making sure that the new clean engines our regulations require will have fuels that help maintain their performance and reap public health improvements throughout the country.

The proposed rule by USEPA sets in place a single national program of tough new standards for clean cars and fuels closely aligning with California requirements starting in 2017.

California's clean fuel requirements, in place since the 1990s, have delivered emission reductions equivalent to removing 3.5 million vehicles from the state's road and highways. California's fuel rules alone have reduced smog-forming emissions from motor vehicles by 15 percent, reduced potential cancer risk from vehicle emissions by 40 percent, and slashed benzene emissions in half.

In addition, California's tailpipe and fuel standards, along with rules on other sources, have delivered a 50 percent reduction in measured sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the state since the 1990s. Air monitoring data show all of California is now in compliance with the federal air quality requirements for sulfur dioxide. Currently gasoline in California contains 8 to 9 parts per million of sulfur.