June 12, 2025
Today, the president signed illegal Congressional Review Act resolutions to repeal longstanding Environmental Protection Agency waivers. For over 50 years, these waivers have allowed California and other states to protect their air quality and people’s health by regulating vehicle pollution.
The waivers protect human health, save consumers money and drive innovation. The President’s and Congress’ actions are an abuse of power that undermines advancements in health, technology and economic growth to support oil and gas interests. These actions are a major step backward in U.S. policy and will increase pollution and related health problems in communities nationwide. Tailpipe pollution is deadly. The number of deaths in the U.S. from vehicle pollution each year rivals the number of traffic fatalities.
For fossil fuel interests, this is a major triumph. Oil and gas interests have spent hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying Congress and the president, funding disinformation campaigns and litigating clean energy standards. Reversing states’ longstanding rights allows wealthy oil and gas corporations to block cleaner, more efficient gas cars, make consumers pay more at the pump and prevent them from shifting to cleaner vehicles, once again putting profits over people.
About Plug In America
Plug In America is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States through education, advocacy and research. Formed in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information to consumers and dealerships about EVs through various programs, including National Drive Electric Week, Drive Electric Earth Month, PlugStar.com, and other public outreach events. Learn more at PlugInAmerica.org.
Media contact: Lindsey Perkins
