Washington, D.C. – Today, the Biden-Harris Environmental Protection Agency reversed another anti-environmental Trump policy and restored waivers for California’s clean truck standards. These standards go beyond national clean truck protections and were first adopted in California but have now been passed in Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Vermont – covering 20 percent of the medium- and heavy-duty market. In response, League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements:
“We are happy to see Administrator Regan make this crucial decision to allow states to further protect public health and tackle climate pollution from trucks,” said LCV Climate and Clean Energy Advocate Darien Davis. “We know diesel tailpipe emissions are a major source of upper respiratory disease, asthma, and cancer and transportation is the nation’s largest source of climate pollution. State leaders across the country are stepping up to protect their communities. This decision reaffirms their rights to use the tools they need to save lives and fight the climate crisis.”
“This is a victory for communities across the country who want to breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives,” said Senior Vice President of Community & Civic Engagement Sandra Peréz González. “States like California have led the way to reduce dangerous diesel pollution. There is much more work to do to ensure every community breathes clean air but this ruling allows state and local elected officials the opportunity to step up and lead.”