Under the Clean Air Act’s waiver system, the Environmental Protection Agency grants California the authority to set its own vehicle pollution standards to combat its unique air pollution problems. For over 50 years, these waivers permitted standards that have meaningfully improved air quality, saved drivers money on gas, and incentivized automakers to build cleaner, more efficient cars. California’s standards have been so successful that D.C. and 17 other states—over 40% of the passenger vehicle market—have voluntarily adopted them.
“At a time when Americans are paying record-high gas and diesel prices, Congress is choosing to remove one of our most effective tools to make driving more affordable and lower fuel consumption,” said Joel Levin, Plug In America’s Executive Director. “Transportation is already the second-highest household expense. State vehicle standards have reduced air pollution, made communities healthier, and made it possible for drivers to spend far less on gas—or skip the pump altogether.”
The standards under threat today have already been fully phased in and no longer apply to manufacturers, but repealing them could permanently limit states’ options to make cars cleaner and advance EV adoption in the future. Plug In America strongly opposes efforts to rescind these standards.
Read Plug In America’s letter to members of Congress, and make your voice heard today by contacting your representative.
