An expert from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) testified in support of an EPA waiver for California's Advanced Clean Cars II rule. The rule aims to ensure that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state will be zero-emitting by 2035. The EDF Transportation Attorney, Eric Wriston, emphasized the importance of granting the waiver to afford full effect to the life-saving standards provided by the ACC II rule. Wriston stated, "These ACC II standards will save lives, reduce harmful air and climate pollution, save Californians money, and deliver jobs."
Transportation pollution from the transportation sector is the largest source of climate pollution in the U.S. and a significant contributor to harmful pollutants that cause smog and damage human health. California has a long-standing authority under the Clean Air Act to set its own protective standards for air pollution from cars and trucks, with a preemption waiver from the EPA. Over the years, California has been granted more than 50 waivers for successful programs aimed at reducing transportation pollution. Additionally, the Clean Air Act allows other states to adopt California's program. Currently, eleven other states have already implemented the Advanced Clean Cars II standards, and three more are in the rulemaking process.
California's leadership, coupled with recent federal investments in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, has helped to accelerate the electric vehicle market. This market is well-positioned to meet the ACC II standards while providing cost savings to consumers. According to a report by EDF and WSP, the electric vehicle sector has seen $165 billion in investments and the creation of nearly 180,000 new U.S. jobs in the past eight years. Furthermore, the report compared the cost of select electric vehicles to comparable gasoline vehicles and found that all the models studied were equally or less expensive to own, with potential savings of over $18,000 for some models.
The California Air Resources Board formally requested the EPA to grant a waiver for the ACC II regulations in May. As part of the decision-making process, the EPA held a public hearing to gather input on whether to agree to California's request. In his testimony, Wriston emphasized the importance of near-term vehicle emissions reductions in mitigating climate change and protecting public health, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color disproportionately impacted by transportation air pollution. He urged the EPA to grant the waiver based on its manifest consistency with Clean Air Act requirements and the extensive benefits it would provide to Californians.
The EDF, as one of the world's leading international nonprofit organizations, works to create transformational solutions to environmental problems by linking science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With offices in multiple countries, including the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia, and the European Union, the organization's experts are dedicated to turning solutions into action.
In conclusion, granting the EPA waiver for California's Advanced Clean Cars II rule is crucial for the state's critical health and climate protections. The ACC II standards will not only save lives but also reduce harmful air and climate pollution, save money for Californians, and generate employment opportunities. The EPA's decision will play a significant role in curbing pollution and moving towards an emissions-free future.
For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.edf.org/media/epa-should-grant-california-waiver-critical-health-and-climate-protections-transportation
