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At EPA Clean Cars Hearing, Environment New Jersey Urges Feds To Deliver on President Obama’s Commitment for Cleaner Air
New York, NY—The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation are
holding a public hearing today in New
York City on new proposed vehicle standards to reduce
global warming pollution and improve fuel economy. The event is the second of three hearings
around the country on the proposal.
Environment New Jersey Field Director Doug O’Malley will testify at the
hearing. Below are excerpts from his
testimony:
“The Obama administration deserves great
credit for taking this historic step to cut global warming pollution, make
America more energy independent, and have American become a leader, not a
laggard, in clean vehicle technology.
“America spends
nearly $1 billion each day importing oil.
Those funds are a direct transfer of wealth from America’s
pocketbooks to oil companies and foreign governments. In addition, the production and use of oil
also causes untold damages to our environment, health, and security.
“As
a first step to regain control of our energy future and fight global warming,
these proposed vehicle standards are a good beginning.
“Automakers can meet these proposed standards by utilizing
technologies that are already available today.
Requiring the more widespread adoption of clean technologies will help
spark the technology innovation necessary for automakers to successfully
compete in the global economy and thereby contribute to a strong local economy.
“The proposal also is proof
that the Clean Air Act is effective in addressing global warming pollution from
vehicles.
“But
we remain concerned about some details.
In his Rose Garden speech announcing these new standards in May,
President Obama said the program will cut global warming pollution by 950 million
metric tons and save 1.8 billion barrels of over the lifetime of vehicles sold
from 2012 through 2016. To deliver on
this promise, the administration must strengthen the final rule, including by
adding a backstop to ensure that the President’s goals are met.”
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Environment New Jersey is one of the
state’s largest citizen-funded environmental advocacy groups working for clean
air, clean water, and open space.
