Summary

This bill tightens Texas automobile emissions standards to the level
required in California and 10 other states. This would apply
to model year 2009 automobiles, and would be the first automobile emissions standards in Texas to address carbon dioxide.

Background

A similar bill did not pass the legislature in the 1991 session. Today,
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, and
Beaumont–Port Arthur are all "non-attainment areas" under the national
ambient air quality standards.

Poltical Commentary

Groups Endorsing SB 124:
Environment Texas, Environmental Defense, Public Citizen, Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club, Texas Impact, Austin Physicians for Social Responsibility, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Texas League of Conservation Voters, Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP), Texas Center for Policy Studies, and the American Lung Association of the Central States./1/
Mayors Endorsing SB 124:
Mayor Bill White of Houston, Mayor Mike Moncrief of Ft. Worth, Mayor Laura Miller of Dallas and Mayor Will Wynn of Austin. /2/ The City Council of Austin supports the adoption of CA emmission standards as well./4/

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers "does not strongly support the Clean Cars Program" /3/

References and News Links

/1/ Environment Texas Press Release on bill filing.
/2/ Moritz, John "Bill calls for lower emissions" Fort Worth Star Telegram, 12/01/06
/3/ Mottola, Daniel "California Tailpipe Rules Could Cruise Into Texas" Austin Chronicle 12/8/06
Sen. Ellis Press Release on SB 124
/4/ Dunbar, Wells "Legislating Austin: First, do no harm" Austin Chronicle 1/15/07

Blog Links

Sci Guy on carbon dioxide coverage in SB 124.