I regret to inform you that I’m about to choke to death. Your Feb. 25 editorial “Let incentives clear air rather than mandates” is stuck in traffic and fails to recognize the seriousness of our regional air pollution problem. Not only does automobile pollution top out as the biggest source of air pollution statewide, but this pollution costs more than $250 million annually. We all know that this pollution is bad for our kids, but could this pollution cost be good for our pocketbook and for business? Hardly.

The clean car bill is a great deal for the consumer. I’d like to drive a car that pollutes less and saves me money at the gas pump. Despite what the out-of-state auto manufacturers are saying to misinform the public, the small increase in vehicle price will more than be made up for by increased fuel efficiency. In fact, if I get to buy one of these cleaner cars with a five-year finance, I’ll save $11 per month in those first five years.

We need both carrots and sticks – but this easy tap of the stick is already working in eight other states. Why shouldn’t Washington drivers get to save money and clean up our air? Rep. John McCoy and Rep. Mike Sells are sponsoring this bill because they care about people right here in Everett. I ask our legislators in Olympia to join them and get this done so we can all breathe a little easier.

John Mauro

Smart Growth Director

Pilchuck Audubon Society

Everett