Senate overturns EPA waivers in unprecedented move to eliminate public health protections from vehicle pollution
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate took the unprecedented step of overruling its parliamentarian and using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s waivers that allowed California (and, in turn, other states) to adopt the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT), Advanced Clean Cars II, and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus rules. These rules are critical tools for protecting public health from harmful vehicle pollution.
“We have long known that diesel is detrimental to public health, and today’s move needlessly puts the health of Americans at risk,” said Jonathan Lewis, global director for Transportation Decarbonization at Clean Air Task Force. “Reducing vehicle pollution can save lives and prevent billions of dollars in health-related damages, and strong standards are important tools to clean up the air and protect human health.”
CATF’s “Deaths by Dirty Diesel” tool demonstrates that if ACT alone were allowed to stand in states where it has already been implemented, it could save more than 1,000 lives and prevent approximately $12 billion in health-related damages over the next decade, especially in port regions and along major freight corridors. Broadening adoption would deliver benefits across the heartland, more than doubling the number of lives saved.
“Using the CRA in this way sets a dangerous new precedent and frustrates efforts to reduce harmful air pollution in our communities,” said Veronica Saltzman, attorney at CATF.
Press Contact
Samantha Sadowski, Senior Communications Manager, U.S., ssadowski@catf.us, +1 202-440-1717
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
