Governor Richardson Slams Bush, EPA On Rejection of California's Clean Car Rules

December 19, 2007 -- (Santa Fe, NM) – Today New Mexico Governor Richardson issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s rejection of California's Clean Car Rules:

"The Bush Administration’s rejection of the California Clean Cars program shows a complete lack of legal, moral and policy leadership on climate change and threatens to close the door on the single most aggressive and effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Urgent action is required in the fight against global warming and 13 states are leading the charge through the California Clean Cars Program. This action will prevent many states from implementing the Clean Car standards that could have allowed a major portion of our country to pursue aggressive steps to curb global warming. The EPA has failed in its responsibility of protecting the health and welfare of this nation's citizens. We will work with other states to protect the Clean Car Standards, including the possibility of additional legal action. " Federal courts in Vermont and California have ruled in favor of the Clean Cars program and the US Supreme Court directed the EPA to take action on global warming. This is the first time the EPA has rejected a waiver request by California.

Environment Secretary Ron Curry also commented: "This is no surprise. The EPA had no intention of granting the waiver even though the law is clear that they should. EPA stated the greenhouse gas vehicle standard did not meet the extraordinary and compelling test. There is nothing more extraordinary and compelling than climate change. We are currently seeing the effects of climate change nationally and globally.

There is no sound reason for denying the waiver since all the criteria established by federal law were met. Auto emissions are the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions nationally and will grow rapidly if left unchecked. If we do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, we will not effectively address global warming in New Mexico, nationally or globally."

Last month, New Mexico became the first Intermountain state and the thirteenth state in the nation to adopt the Clean Car program after the Environmental Improvement Board and the Albuquerque-Bernalillo Air Quality Control Board voted to approve the regulations that address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars. The program, would have become effective January 1, 2008, requires car manufacturers to sell and lease vehicles that meet the standards beginning with model year 2011. The program only applies to new vehicles and will not affect new or used cars sold before that model year.

A future presidential administration's EPA could grant the waiver in time for New Mexico and other states to implement the standards.

Source: New Mexico Governor

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