EPA Proposes Reconsideration of the Withdrawal of California’s Waiver to Enforce Greenhouse Gas Standards for Cars and Light Trucks

In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s proposed reconsideration of the Trump Administration’s Withdrawal of California’s Waiver to Enforce Greenhouse Gas Standards for Cars and Light Trucks, the American Lung Association’s President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement: 

“The EPA’s proposal today is good news for lung health. Gasoline and diesel-powered cars and trucks pollute the air we breathe and drive climate change. States have the clear right under the Clean Air Act to follow stronger standards to protect their residents from this pollution.

“The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. From degraded air quality due to higher temperatures to increased risk from wildfires and other extreme weather events, climate change poses serious threats to the health and lives of all Americans, especially children, older adults, low-income communities, communities of color and people living with chronic diseases. The American Lung Association’s new ‘State of the Air' report found that due in part to climate change, more than 4 in 10 Americans live with unhealthy air. 

“Thanks to states’ ability to follow stronger vehicle standards, the nation’s cars and trucks are dramatically cleaner. Now the nation must finish the job by accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles. This transition would provide $72 billion in health benefits and $113 in climate benefits annually by 2050. 

“The American Lung Association urges the Administration to quickly finalize recognition of states’ authority to follow more protective motor vehicle pollution standards. Next, we call on President Biden to set strong, ambitious greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards for cars, light trucks and SUVs and accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles.”