FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2022
Contact: Michael Blenner, Sierra Club California, michael.blenner@sierraclub.org
Larisa Manescu, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All campaign, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Biden Administration Restores California Long-Standing Authority to Slash Vehicle Pollution & Protect Communities
CALIFORNIA - Today, President Biden’s EPA restored a key tool to address pollution from the transportation sector, the nation’s leading source of climate-disrupting pollution.
The EPA’s move today restores California’s authority, promised under the Clean Air Act, to adopt stronger than federal vehicle pollution standards. This authority means California can continue to implement tougher pollution standards for cars and light-duty trucks that deliver cleaner air, fight the climate crisis and make the state a desirable location for clean car investments.
Today’s action reverses an illegal and unprecedented waiver revocation by the previous administration that threatened our climate and the well-being of communities around the country. Sierra Club and Earthjustice, together with a broad coalition of public health and environmental groups, sued the Trump EPA in 2019 over this action, challenging its revocation of California’s waiver.
In response to the news of the EPA waiver reinstatement, Brandon Dawson, Director of Sierra Club California, issued the following statement:
“The Biden EPA has made good on its promise to restore California’s waiver to protect our
communities from dangerous vehicle pollution and slash the largest source of climate-disrupting pollution.
“Strong pollution standards for cars and light-duty trucks can help us grow our economy and spur the burgeoning EV market. The restoration of the waiver is a call to action for California to pass a strong Advanced Clean Cars II rule, as over a dozen states are looking for California to lead the nation's transition towards a zero emission future.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.