More than 100 Democrats on Wednesday signed on to a letter sent to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, calling on the agency to withdraw its proposed elimination of federal emissions standards for vehicles.
In July, the EPA proposed rescinding its 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, which grants it the authority to regulate emissions from motor vehicles and engines. The changes would eliminate future emissions requirements for models, with the EPA noting it will keep in place, “regulations necessary for criteria pollutant and air toxic measurement and standards, Corporate Average Fuel Economy testing, and associated fuel economy labeling requirements.
“This is a clear abdication of EPA’s core mission to protect human health and the environment and a flagrant rejection of Congressional intent,” wrote the lawmakers, led by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Ca.). Matsui is a co-chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition alongside Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Il.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), who also signed the letter.
The letter says that curtailing emissions standards would imperil environmental and public health. On Wednesday, the independent National Academy of Sciences said it is “beyond scientific dispute” that climate change harms public health, according to the Associated Press.
“EPA must fulfill its mission to protect communities and regulate the greenhouse gas pollution that causes these deaths,” the Democrats’ letter said.
Under Zeldin, who President Trump appointed as administrator, the EPA has prioritized removing regulations it deems harmful for businesses. In March, Zeldin announced the agency would roll back 31 environmental rules, including the 2009 endangerment finding.
“Alongside President Trump, we are living up to our promises to unleash American energy, lower costs for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, and work hand-in-hand with our state partners to advance our shared mission,” Zeldin said at the time.
The public comment period for the proposed rescission of the endangerment finding ends on Sept. 22. Last Friday, the EPA also proposed repealing requirements for companies to report emissions, a policy implemented under the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.
The letter from Democrats says that repealing emissions standards will have economic costs as well. Noting recent job growth in the clean energy sector, the letter says that overturning emissions standards threatens American workers manufacturing clean energy vehicles while “the world is racing towards a zero-emission future.”
The EPA’s changes will also increase the cost of living for consumers and boost the U.S.’s reliance on foreign oil, the letter states.
“Every American deserves to breathe clean air. Every American deserves the opportunity of a prosperous future free from climate change. And every American should be able to drive an affordable next-generation clean vehicle made here in America,” the letter concludes.
The Hill has reached out to the EPA for comment on the letter.
