Environment Iowa : Give Clean Cars the green light!

By Nathaniel Baer, Environment Iowa

While the federal government has been sitting on its hands when it comes to global warming, the states have been busy.  In addition to increasing our use of renewable energy in states all across the country, 12 states have adopted policies to put cleaner cars on the road.

In order to implement these laws, the states need the EPA to give the green light. They've been dragging their feet on this decision for a year and a half, and I think you'll agree that it's about time to take action.

The EPA is accepting public comments until June 15 to hear from citizens like you on the issue. Let them know that you want states to be able to take the lead in reducing global warming pollution by implementing their Clean Cars standards. Click on the link below or copy and paste it into your web browser to submit your comment today. Then, ask your friends to do the same by sharing this message with them.

https://www.environmentiowa.org/action/global-warming/clean-cars?id4=ES

Background

From more frequent heat waves to rising sea levels, global warming poses significant threats communities across the country.  The good news is that solutions to reduce global warming pollution are at our finger tips-we just need to put them to use. 

The states have been at the forefront of action to reduce global warming pollution.  One of the most important steps that the states have taken is to tackle emissions from cars and SUVs, which are the second largest source of global warming emissions nationwide. 

Specifically, California and 11 other states have adopted tailpipe standards to reduce global warming pollution from cars and SUVs, amounting to one-third of the U.S. auto market.  However, in order to implement the standards, California-and the other states-need a stamp of approval (called a Clean Air Act "waiver") from the EPA, and the Bush EPA has been sitting on the decision for nearly a year and a half.

The auto industry, however, has fought these common sense solutions every step of the way, and are now lobbying the EPA do deny the states the approval needed to implement these common sense solutions.

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last month-in which the Court found that carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants are indeed "air pollutants" and can be regulated under the Clean Air Act-compelled the Bush EPA to move forward in its decision on the state clean cars standards.

Fortunately, the administration is required by law to hear what the public thinks before it makes its decision.

The EPA is accepting public comments until June 15 to hear from citizens like you on the issue. Let them know that you want states to be able to take the lead in reducing global warming pollution by implementing their Clean Cars standards. Click on the link below or copy and paste it into your web browser to submit your comment today. Then, ask your friends to do the same by sharing this message with them.

https://www.environmentiowa.org/action/global-warming/clean-cars?id4=ES

Sincerely,

Nathaniel Baer
Environment Iowa Advocate
NathanielB@environmentiowa.org
http://www.environmentiowa.org

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