CRA Targeting California Clean Vehicles Standards is Unlawful, Risks Clean Air, Health of Millions Across U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C — The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee today unveiled a series of Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions targeting key measures intended to safeguard clean air and stem harmful pollution. Under the Clean Air Act, California has been granted a waiver to set enhanced standards on auto emissions and reign in toxic emissions from vehicles for decades. The nonpartisan congressional arbiter in disputes over the meaning of the CRA, the Government Accountability Office, has already twice determined that California’s waiver is not a “rule,” and is thus ineligible to be targeted using the CRA’s expedited process. In response, Will Anderson, policy advocate with Public Citizen’s Climate Program, issued the following statement:
“The attempt by House Republicans to abuse the CRA to crush the California waiver would be a massive blow to the right of states to protect the health of millions of residents. It would set a dangerous precedent by applying the CRA beyond its intended scope, opening a Pandora’s box that could affect a wide range of executive actions, from Medicaid waiver approvals to modifications in K-12 education policies.
“These vital state clean air rules, previously allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency, are key to reducing toxic air pollution, safeguarding public health, and lowering climate-damaging emissions. The specific preemption waivers for Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Omnibus play a crucial role in addressing California’s air quality challenges.
“Obstructing these standards will substantially raise the average fuel and vehicle maintenance costs for households and businesses while also making the economy more susceptible to fluctuating gas prices and reliance on oil imports.
“Congress should reject this lawless and misguided use of the CRA.”
# # #