Javier Sierra, javier.sierra@sierraclub.org, 703.927.4750
(English follows)
(English)
EPA’s Proposed Federal Clean Car Standards Important First Step But Must Be Improved
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will propose revised greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards (or “clean car standards”) for new light-duty cars and trucks.
The Biden administration made reversing the Trump administration’s weakening of the clean car standards a Day 1 priority. This proposal is the first step in restoring and strengthening one of our most effective policy tools to address pollution from the transportation sector, the leading source of carbon pollution in the US.
The EPA and DOT will also tackle transportation emissions from medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Regulating truck manufacturers is a major environmental justice issue and will benefit the communities -- overwhelmingly communities of color and low-income communities, such as Latinos -- that suffer from diesel-polluting truck traffic.
President Biden also announced an executive order today committing to a target that 50% of new cars sold will be zero emission by 2030. However, to adequately accelerate the transition to zero-emission cars, the administration should increase the target to 60%. The U.S. requires vehicle emissions standards that meet the moment.
In response, Sierra Club President Ramón Cruz issued the following statement:
“Our communities, our health, and our future deserve bold climate action. Each year, we’re experiencing worsening climate disasters and the inequitable consequences of polluted air, with transportation making up the bulk of emissions driving the crisis. President Biden must seize the moment and craft stronger federal clean car standards, one of our most impactful tools for climate action.
“The Sierra Club will continue to mobilize its millions of members and supporters in our push for the strongest final rule possible that will deliver emissions reductions and put us on track to achieve 100% zero emission vehicle sales by 2035, an achievable and imperative target.”
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Sobre el Sierra Club
El Sierra Club es la mayor y más influyente organización medioambiental de base en Estados Unidos y cuenta con cerca de 4 millones de miembros y seguidores en todo el país. Además de crear oportunidades para que personas de todas las edades, niveles y localizaciones puedan disfrutar de la naturaleza, el Sierra Club se esfuerza en salvaguardar la salud de las comunidades, proteger la vida silvestre, y preservar los restantes parajes naturales por medio de activismo de base, educación pública, cabildeo y en las cortes. Para más información visite: www.sierraclub.org/ecocentro.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with close to 4 million 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.