Coltura Testifies in on EPA’s Proposals to Rollback Tailpipe Standards and Remove Climate-Altering Emissions from its List of Pollutants

August 22

 

On August 21st, Coltura’s Rob Sargent testified against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s wrong-headed proposal to reverse EPA’s 2009 finding that global-warming pollution from burning fossil fuels harms peoples’ health and welfare. He also strongly opposed the proposed elimination of EPA’s tailpipe standards for cars and trucks.

Sargent’s testimony asserted that “repealing the 2009 Endangerment Finding would remove the EPA’s legal authority — and responsibility — to use the Clean Air Act to limit climate-altering pollution from tailpipes and other sources. It’s an unabashed rejection of decades of scientific evidence and a bright green light for unchecked pollution from burning gasoline and other fossil fuels”.

Coltura joined more than 500 experts and members of the public who voiced overwhelming opposition in four days of hearings on EPA’s proposals. A wide range of scientists, experts and concerned citizens criticized the agency’s rejection of sound science and their failure to protect the public and the planet from pollution. Coltura also reinforced the consequences for household budgets; especially households spending large portions of their household budgets on gasoline.

“The EPA’s proposed rollback of tailpipe emissions standards and repeal of the Endangerment Finding will lock in higher gasoline consumption. The consequences are especially dire for America’s high-mileage drivers. These people tend to be super-commuters, who must live where housing is affordable, even if it’s far from their jobs, and people in rural areas, where all driving distances are long. The 21 million drivers in the top 10% for gasoline consumption spend on average $530 a month on gasoline – or 10% of household income. Tailpipe standards and incentives that help them switch to an electric vehicle would drastically cut their household expenses and unlock opportunities for a better life,” said Sargent.

Here’s Coltura’s statement on the proposed rule.

EPA is accepting public comments on these proposals through September 22nd. You can submit comments here. Please read EPA’s guidelines.

Contact:
Coltura Media Team
press@coltura.org
www.coltura.org