Governor Says Congress Should Not Block Right of States to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Signs Bipartisan Letter Opposing Legislation that Prohibits EPA-Issued Waivers on Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 8, 2007; Governor Edward G. Rendell has joined with seven other governors to oppose proposed legislation in Congress that would pre-empt states' ability to protect the environment by limiting greenhouse gas emissions from light-duty vehicles.

The eight governors issued a joint letter to Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, who has draft legislation that would specifically prohibit the EPA from granting states waivers to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.

"When the federal government fails to protect the environment and the health of our citizens, as it has done when it comes to limiting greenhouse gas emissions, then the states must be allowed to act," Governor Rendell said. "Pennsylvania has already taken steps to reduce pollution, increase homegrown energy sources, reduce our dependence on foreign energy and create jobs for our hardworking men and women. The next step is to reduce the greenhouse gases coming from motor vehicles that contribute to global warming."

Pennsylvania is among 11 other states leading the effort to fight global warming by limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, specifically carbon dioxide. Together, the states aim to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles by up to 30 percent beginning with the 2009 model year.

The reductions would be achieved as California implements its GHG limitations for passenger vehicles and light duty trucks. However, this can only occur if the EPA grants California a waiver of federal preemption from the federal Clean Air Act. The exemption allows California to enforce its air pollution rules, which go beyond those imposed by the federal government.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty testified before the EPA last month in support of the waiver to California. In her remarks, the secretary noted that California has met all the legal obligations prescribed by the Clean Air Act, so the EPA is obligated to grant the waiver.

Pennsylvania has adopted the stricter California emission rules but it cannot implement those reductions unless the Golden State is permitted to do so.

About 25 percent of the greenhouse gases in Pennsylvania are attributable to transportation. Also, by implementing the California program rather than federal standards, Pennsylvania will: reduce smog-producing pollutants by more than 6,000 tons by when full fleet turnover is expected; and reduce six toxic pollutants from 5 - 11 percent. Pennsylvania will also be able to achieve a 6 - 12 percent greater reduction in volatile organic compounds and a 9 percent greater reduction in nitrogen oxides.

In addition to Governor Rendell, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Washington Governor Christine O. Gregoire, Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, Massachusetts Governor Devel Patrick, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and New York Governor Eliot Spitzer signed the letter to Rep. Boucher.

California has been urging the EPA to grant the waiver for nearly two years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Other states that are set to enforce the greenhouse gas emission reductions in the 2009 model year, along with California and Pennsylvania, are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Maryland has also adopted California's vehicle standards, but will not implement them until the 2011 model year.

"State leaders around the country are heeding the warning of scientists from around the world that the time for action is now to reduce climate change, which threatens the economies of all nations and the well being of all people in the world," Governor Rendell said.

Governor Rendell has established Pennsylvania as a national leader in the clean energy field by doubling the state's purchase of electricity produced from renewable fuels to 20 percent, and by setting up an energy portfolio standard requiring that 18 percent of all electricity produced in the state come from clean and renewable sources by 2020.

The Governor's Energy Independence Strategy is designed to help the commonwealth meet its energy needs through domestically produced sources. The $850 million Energy Independence Fund will target new resources to expand Pennsylvania's clean and renewable energy production capacity, reduce the state's reliance on foreign fuels, and grow its energy production and technology sectors to create more jobs. This approach will help residential consumers and businesses save $10 billion over the next 10 years.

For more information on the Governor's Energy Independence Strategy, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A copy of the letter signed by Governor Rendell and the other seven Governors follows:

  The Honorable Rick Boucher
  2187 Rayburn House Office Building
  Washington, D.C. 20515

  RE:  Discussion Draft -- Alternative Fuels, Infrastructure and Vehicles

  Dear Representative Boucher:

We are writing to express our strong opposition to the June 1, 2007, Discussion Draft -- Alternative Fuels, Infrastructure and Vehicles. This bill's goal is unacceptable: it would preempt efforts by progressive states to combat climate change in crafting regulations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Specifically, it would preempt California's passenger vehicles and light duty truck emission standards that will reduce greenhouse emissions by 30 percent. This threat is not solely a California problem as all of our states have adopted or soon will be adopting the California standards and we collectively represent over one-third of the automobile market. Perhaps equally troubling is the bill's about-face reversal of the recent Supreme Court decision identifying CO2 as a pollutant within the scope of the Clean Air Act (Massachusetts v. EPA). The bill then delegates sole authority to vehicle greenhouse gas emissions to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Though we believe federal action is necessary on climate change, denying states the right to foster solutions in the absence of federal policy is a far cry from the answer. Our states are at the forefront in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependency on carbon-based fuels -- and for good reason. The threat of climate change is real and impacts the public health and welfare of us all. Therefore, our states not only need to preserve our authority to initiate aggressive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now, but quite frankly, much stronger action will be needed going forward to address the continuing threat of climate change.

I urge you to rethink the approach offered in the discussion draft, and to pursue policies that enhance and complement the efforts already underway in our states.

Sincerely,