| Michaud Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Reverse Misguided EPA Decision on California Emission Standards |
| Wednesday, March 05 2008 | |
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Washington, DC - Congressman Mike Michaud joined with his House
colleagues today to introduce legislation that would direct the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to grant California, and in turn
Maine, a waiver under the Clean Air Act to cut global warming pollution
from motor vehicles. The Right to Clean Vehicles Act would reverse the
EPA's misguided decision to deny California a waiver under the Clean
Air Act to enforce its own emission standards.
Washington, DC - Congressman Mike Michaud joined with his House colleagues today to introduce legislation that would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to grant California, and in turn Maine, a waiver under the Clean Air Act to cut global warming pollution from motor vehicles. The Right to Clean Vehicles Act would reverse the EPA's misguided decision to deny California a waiver under the Clean Air Act to enforce its own emission standards. The legislation would immediately grant California's waiver, giving an additional twelve states, including Maine, the authority to implement improved tailpipe emission standards immediately and allowing other states to opt-in in the future. "All these states, including Maine, have taken the lead in addressing climate change. The last thing that the Administration should be doing is standing in their way. The case for California, Maine and other states to act was supported by scientists and EPA staff, but the politically appointed EPA Administrator reversed their recommendations," said Michaud. "I am pleased that Congress is continuing to hold hearings on this issue and I am proud to help introduce legislation that will reverse this misguided EPA decision. It is long past time that we restore public confidence in our nation's federal agencies by restoring the role of science and removing politics. Passing the Right to Clean Vehicles Act would be a huge step in the right direction." The Clean Air Act generally prevents states from adopting emission standards for mobile sources. However, Congress has granted California broad discretion to establish its own standards, which other states can adopt as well. In order for California's standards to be enforceable, California requested approval of a waiver from EPA. If the waiver is approved, the California standards are enforceable both in California and in any other state that has adopted the standards. So far, twelve other states, including Maine, have adopted the California standards. Additionally, the Governors of Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Utah have committed to the standards and other states are also currently considering adopting the standards. On December 19, 2007, for the first time in forty years, the EPA denied California's waiver request. |