Residents will have a chance to sound off tonight on proposed tougher emissions standards for all new vehicles sold in Oregon, starting in 2009.

State officials are considering adopting California’s strict standards for new vehicles in an attempt to curb global warming and reduce smog. Public hearings are being held across the state this week and next.

According to the proposed Clean Cars program, new cars sold in Oregon will meet California’s emissions standards, emitting 30 percent less greenhouse gases beginning in 2009.

The program would also reduce toxic gases that create smog and exacerbate certain health conditions like asthma. And new cars and trucks would have to go farther on a gallon of gas.

Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring compounds – including carbon dioxide – that trap some of the sun’s energy, making Earth’s atmosphere inhabitable. But scientists believe that unnaturally high levels of greenhouse gases are now causing long-term climate change, or global warming.

Even if the new Clean Car rules are put into effect, not all Oregonians would immediately replace their cars with new, less polluting ones. So it would take decades for the regulations to take full effect.

Still, officials predict the regulations would help cut greenhouse gases emitted by the statewide vehicle fleet by 12 percent to 18 percent by 2020.

Proponents of the Clean Cars program say that greater fuel efficiency would help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and save money at the pump.

Jeremy Baumann, of the nonprofit Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, conducted a recent study that came out in support of the proposed program.

Automakers are likely to comply with the Clean Cars standards by improving gas mileage, he said. By Baumann’s calculations, that means Oregon drivers will save about $8.2 million in annual gas costs by 2016, assuming gas prices top $3 per gallon by then.

Savings at the pump will more than offset the slight increase expected in the cost of a new car under the program, he said.

”The Clean Cars program really is a win-win situation,” he said in a statement. ”It will curb global warming and save consumers money.”

Not everyone agrees.

Eron Shosteck, director of communications for the national Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said the program could actually cost consumers more.

By his estimates, the regulations would drive up the cost of a typical vehicle by about $3,000.

”The technology that is required (to meet the emissions standards) is extremely expensive,” he said. ”And a lot of it is available today for consumers who want to spend the extra money. Some consumers don’t want to, and they should be able to make that choice and not have it forced upon them.”

The proposal was developed by an advisory committee that Gov. Ted Kulongoski appointed to research ways to curb vehicle emissions. The Democratic governor created the committee after attending a conference with the other two West Coast governors, each of whom pledged to take strides to curb air pollution.

A final decision on whether to impose the regulations in Oregon will be made later this year by the state Environmental Quality Commission, a group of five people appointed by the governor.

Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 3. They may be mailed to Oregon DEQ, Air Quality Division, Attention: Dave Nordberg, 811 SW Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204.

Comments may also be faxed to 503-229-5675 or e-mailed to Oregon.LEV@deq.state.or.us.

TO ATTEND

* The public hearing takes place at 7 tonight in the Central Oregon Association of Realtors office, at 2112 NE Fourth St. in Bend.

* For more information on the proposal, visit www.deq.state.or.us/aq /aqplanning/ORLEV.