Clean Cars, Clean Air

Gearing up for next month's General Assembly session, environmentalists and health advocates have released a new report on Maryland's air quality meant to bolster their case for clean-car legislation.

The study, based on data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, shows that the cancer risk in all Maryland counties is at least 10 times higher than the federal government standard.

The coalition of environmentalists behind the study will press lawmakers in Annapolis to join 11 other states that have adopted tougher auto emissions standards than the federal government requires.

The proposal, which stalled in committee two years ago, is sure to set up a showdown with car manufacturers and deals. But advocates are hoping Governor-elect Martin O'Malley will get behind their cause.

Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for O'Malley, said yesterday that the new administration is "certainly interested in this legislation and talking to legislators about it."