Environmental groups applaud the state Pollution Control Agency for moving forward with “clean car” standards similar to those in 14 other states. But Republican Representative Dale Lueck from Aitkin warns people struggling to put food on the table can’t afford more expensive cars — and the timing couldn’t have been worse. “If you think about all the unilateral decisions that the governor has had to make, through no fault of his own… he’s up to 103 or 104 emergency orders — that’s all we need now is, oh, by the way, I’ve got this other bright idea,” Lueck says.
Backers of the new standard respond it will reduce fuel costs for Minnesotans and keep the state’s air clean, with many health benefits. Lueck says his goal is also cleaner air but the state shouldn’t hurt working Minnesotans to do it.