DeLauro Fights for Conn.'s Right to Improve Air Standards

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) joined a bipartisan coalition of her colleagues to introduce the Right to Clean Vehicles Act. This bill would overturn the recent Environmental Protection Agency decision to deny California 's request for a waiver to adopt stricter automobile emission standards, which the state has done for more than four decades. By immediately granting California 's waiver, this legislation would also give an additional twelve states, including Connecticut , the authority to implement tailpipe emission standards, as well as four other states moving to adopt these standards. For this reason, DeLauro sent a letter with colleagues last fall to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson urging immediate approval of the waiver. (a copy of the letter is attached.)

"Consumers are struggling with ever increasing gas prices and cleaner cars with better fuel efficiency offer a significant way opportunity to save on fuel costs," stated DeLauro. "Instead of encouraging this technology development, the Bush Administration is choosing ideology. The EPA Administrator declined California 's request for stricter automobile emission standards - and ultimately Connecticut 's - despite the recommendation of the agency's technical and legal staff. That is why I was pleased to join with my colleagues to introduce the Right to Clean Vehicles Act that will overturn this erroneous decision."

Under the Clean Air Act states are generally prevented from adopting emission standards for mobile sources. However, Congress has granted California broad discretion to establish its own standards, which the other states can then adopt as well. In order for California 's standards to be enforceable, the state requested approval of a waiver from EPA. If approved, the California standards are enforceable both in California and in any other state that has adopted the standards. Unfortunately, on December 19, 2007, for the first time in forty years, the EPA denied California 's waiver request.

Continued DeLauro, "The Administration's refusal to allow states to adopt stronger emission standards will do little to improve air standards, invest in alternative energy technology and address global warming. Even the National Academy of Science has found that it is because of the pioneering efforts of California , Connecticut and other states forcing technology development, that we have made such progress in reducing vehicle fuel emissions."

The Right to Clean Vehicles Act would reverse this misguided decision and immediately grant California 's waiver, giving the additional twelve states the authority to implement tailpipe emission standards immediately and allowing other states to opt-in in the future. The twelve states include Connecticut , Maryland , Maine , Massachusetts , New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , Oregon , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , Vermont , and Washington . The governors of Arizona , Colorado , Florida and Utah have also committed to the standards.

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