California’s highways are experiencing record traffic as the economy improves and gas prices plummet, reversing the declines of the recession, new state figures show. The decline in vehicle traffic during the recession was a chief reason California was able to make significant gains toward reducing emissions, he added. The state has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and is on track to meet that goal. The growing popularity of cars that burn less gas and emit less pollution will soften the environmental impacts, Tom Turrentine said. But he noted those gains will disappear if Californians decide to buy larger cars in response to lower gas prices.
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