The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is sharing this press release to bring you the latest news quickly.

[PRESS RELEASE]

Proposed rollback would gut lifesaving, widely popular cleaner cars program

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 2, 2018) – In response to a proposal from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to weaken the 2021-2026 vehicle emissions and mileage requirements and withdraw the waiver that permits California to set more protective cleaner cars standards, the American Lung Association, Allergy & Asthma Network, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Public Health Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Center for Climate Change and Health, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Health Care Without Harm, National Association of County and City Health Officials and National Environmental Health Association issued the following statement: 

“This proposal from EPA and NHTSA would dismantle fair, achievable pollution limits with a track record of success, limits that will help protect Americans from the life-threatening health impacts of climate change. The proposal would also preempt the ability of states to protect the health of their residents by curbing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. If these vehicle standards are weakened, the nation loses a crucial tool to fight climate change.

“EPA conducted a substantial review and public comment period in 2016 and found that the 2022-2025 vehicle emissions requirements were appropriate and that auto manufacturers can meet them. A recent American Lung Association poll showed that nearly seven in 10 voters want the Administration to leave current vehicle standards in place. 

“Today’s announcement reaches beyond efforts to weaken cleaner cars standards at the federal level—it also threatens states’ right to limit dangerous vehicle pollution and take more aggressive steps to protect their residents. This action hampers not only California’s ability to protect the health of its citizens, but also that of a dozen other states that have driven nationwide progress in reducing tailpipe pollution, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. 

“Rolling back these standards is another step backward from the essential fight to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. From degraded air quality due to higher temperatures to increased risk from wildfires, climate change poses serious threats to all Americans, especially to the most vulnerable, including children, older adults and those living with chronic diseases. 

“We urge EPA and NHTSA to fulfill their responsibility to protect the health of all Americans and maintain the cleaner cars standards, as well as maintain the right of states to protect their residents by adopting stronger standards. 

“Our organizations will fully participate in the rulemaking process and will urge the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration not to weaken fair and safe vehicle pollution limits that have proven successful in reducing pollution in the air we breathe.”

CONTACTS:

Michelle Blundell
P: 202-478-6176 E: mblundell@mrss.com

Allison MacMunn, American Lung Association
P: 312-801-7628 E: Media@Lung.org