For Immediate Release
August 7, 2018
Contact: Clarissa Rojas
(202) 225-8220
Tri-Caucus Members Oppose Weaker Clean Car Standards, Warn of Disproportionate Impact on Communities of Color
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Members of the Tri-Caucus sent a letter to Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao in opposition to the Trump Administration’s recently announced plan to weaken federal clean car standards. The bicameral letter, which was led by U.S. Reps. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Doris Matsui (CA-06), A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), expressed Members concerns that the new standards will result in an increase of air pollution, climate change impacts, and fuel costs that will disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color.
“The Trump Administration’s decision to freeze fuel-efficiency requirements for the nation’s cars and trucks undermines our efforts to clean up the air that we breathe,” said Rep. Barragán. “These requirements benefit all communities, but especially communities of color, where the negative impacts of air pollution are felt first and worst. We need more fuel efficient vehicles—not less—to help improve public health, combat climate change, and save drivers money at the gas pump.”
The Natural Resources Defense Council and Green for All applauded the lawmakers for their effort:
“Our nation’s clean car standards work to protect low-income households and communities of color who bear the brunt of harmful tailpipe pollution and suffer most from paying more at the pump,” said Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Members of Congress who represent frontline communities should join with these leaders to prevent the Trump administration from driving these protections into a ditch.”
Michelle Romero, deputy director of Green For All said, “Tailpipe pollution is a huge health and safety issue, and the Trump Administration is playing fast and loose with it. Recent studies have shown that traffic related pollution results in more death than traffic related accidents. Attempting to weaken fuel economy and emissions standards while forcing working families to foot the bill in increased gas prices and medical costs, is unconscionable.”
Text of the letter is here.
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Nanette Díaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.