HARMAN LAUDS EPA DECISION ALLOWING CALIFORNIA TO REGULATE VEHICLE EMISSIONS

Lawmaker says, “today we are vindicated”

Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice), senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement today as President Obama announced that California would be granted a long-sought waiver to regulate its own greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks: 

“Five years have passed since State Senator Fran Pavley wrote California’s landmark efficiency law.  Until now, that effort – and those of environmental groups, lawmakers, and others – has been obstructed by Bush energy policies loyal to oil and car companies,” said Harman.    

“California has always been the nation’s leader on energy efficiency and environmental preservation.  With the Obama Administration’s decision to allow California to regulate its own vehicle emissions, today we are vindicated,” said Harman.

In 2016, President Obama’s proposed national vehicle efficiency standards – which mirror California’s – take effect.  Today’s decision enables California to go beyond that standard starting in 2017.

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