President Trump signed measures meant to halt the enforcement of existing standards from California and other states that limit the pollution from cars and trucks.
Recognizing the state’s unique air quality challenges, Congress specifically gave California the authority to set stronger tailpipe emissions standards when it passed the Clean Air Act more than five decades ago. Congress later gave other states the right to adopt California’s standards.
The following is a comment from Simon Mui, managing director for transportation at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
“California’s vehicle standards reduce costs for drivers, increase customer choice, boost domestic manufacturing, improve air quality and help address the climate crisis. The only losers from cleaner vehicles are oil industry billionaires, which is why they were on hand today while the president signed the measures to nix these rules.
“States know best how to strike the right balance and protect their residents from dangerous pollution. There is no reason politicians in Washington should be stepping in at this late date to try and undercut states’ protections for their residents.
“The oil industry may be celebrating today, but the rest of us are going to continue to keep fighting for cleaner air, lower energy bills and a safer climate.”
This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Newswire Editor.