Manitoba Tackles Emissions

WINNIPEG - Apr 2/09 - SNS -- The Manitoba government intends to pursue new emission targets for vehicles as part of its effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The province says it will implement several recommendations outlined in the report of the Vehicle Standards Advisory Board, including:

* Implementing aggressive vehicle emission reduction targets. The implementation plan includes introducing the California Air Resources Board model for emission reductions pending approval in the United States and economic analysis on the impact on retailers in Manitoba.

* Promoting increased fuel efficiency on Manitoba roads. The current hybrid rebate program will be replaced with new incentives to get older cars off the road.

* Introducing Green Driving, new public education campaign. The campaign will promote vehicle maintenance and driving habits that help to reduce fuel consumption and will include tips on anti-idling and promoting car pooling.

* Providing support for transit. The Manitoba government is supporting investments in a new rapid transit corridor for the city of Winnipeg and has enshrined a fifty-fifty share of the cost of operation of transit in legislation.