Statement: AGs defend California’s waiver for Clean Car Standards

PHILADELPHIA – A coalition of 20 states and three cities filed a motion on Thursday to intervene to defend the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to restore California’s waiver under the Clean Air Act, which allows them to set stronger greenhouse gas emission standards than the federal government. The motion responds to a lawsuit filed by 17 Republican-led states, challenging EPA’s action in March, 2022 to restore state authority. 

The waiver allows California to enforce its stricter Advanced Clean Cars program, and lets other states with air pollution problems choose to adopt those stronger rules. California’s Advanced Clean Cars program has been adopted by 17 other states, with the most recent addition of New Mexico earlier this month. 

In response, Environment California Director Laura Deehan released the following statement:

“Gov. Newsom, AG Bonta and Chair Randolph should be commended for defending California’s legal authority for strong clean car rules. In a state where 98% of people live in a place where the air is unsafe to breathe, we are counting on California’s continued leadership to accelerate toward a clean car, clean air future.” 

Environment America Destination: Zero Carbon campaign director Morgan Folger said:

“We are heartened to see so many states making a stand for cleaner cars. The Advanced Clean Cars program has been a massive success, driving down air pollution and growing the electric vehicle market. For 50 years, California has been blazing a trail for the clean cars of the future. We’ve defended our clean cars standards from these roadblocks before, and we can’t let this latest challenge take us the wrong way on clean cars.”