MATSUI STATEMENT ON RESTORATION OF CALIFORNIA’S CLEAN AIR ACT WAIVER
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement to reinstate the Clean Air Act waiver for California’s Advanced Clean Cars program. The waiver would restore California’s and other states’ authority to set emission standards on light duty vehicles that are more stringent than federal standards.
“Today’s announcement is a monumental win for our state, which has been a longstanding climate leader and a crucial partner to combat harmful transportation pollution,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “California’s leadership has raised the bar for federal tailpipe emission standards and its Advanced Clean Cars program has served as a model for sixteen other states and the District of Columbia to set their own, stronger vehicle emissions rules. The transportation sector continues to be our nation’s leading source of carbon pollution, necessitating strong climate policies that spur on the innovation and development of cleaner vehicle technologies. Reinstating states authority to set their own vehicle emission standards will ensure that over 120 million people nationwide can realize the benefits of reduced transportation pollution. California will continue to lead the charge to provide cleaner air to communities across the country. I thank the Biden Administration for restoring this key tool to empower states to address harmful emissions and combat the climate crisis.”
Congresswoman Matsui has long been a champion of bold climate action and the adoption of ambitious vehicle emission standards. In March of 2021, she led a letter with 70 of her colleagues urging the Biden Administration to take action to reinstate California’s Clean Air Act waiver and restore the Obama-Biden tailpipe emission and fuel economy standards. In July of 2021, she led a follow up letter with Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone and 139 of her colleagues to reiterate the importance of reinstating the California Clean Air Act Waiver.
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