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For Immediate
Release
12/20/07
Contact:
Craig Shuey
(Sen. Madigan)
717-787-3280
Pat Henderson
(Sen. White)
717-787-9684
Senators Madigan, White Praise EPA Decision to
Deny California Vehicle Emissions Waiver
Senator Roger Madigan, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee,
and Senator Mary Jo White, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and
Energy Committee, issued the following statement regarding yesterday's decision
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to deny California's vehicle
emissions waiver request:
"We applaud the decision by the EPA to deny California's
waiver request. This is a first -- but very significant -- step in stopping a
potentially costly and unnecessary vehicle standard from being imposed upon
Pennsylvania motorists.
"Last session, when the Rendell Administration circumvented
the General Assembly and ceded authority of our vehicle emission standards to
California, we raised objections over the fact that Pennsylvania motorists would
be subjected to the decisions of an unelected, unaccountable board situated in
California. That concern was immediately realized upon California's formal
request of the federal government to regulate carbon dioxide emissions – an
emission for which there is no universally recognized standard and one that is
not necessary to protect the ambient air quality of our citizens.
"The decision by the EPA recognizes the significant fuel
efficiency standards signed into law by President Bush, which will lead to
significant emission reductions of both ozone-causing pollutants as well as
carbon dioxide. The EPA appropriately recognized the wisdom of avoiding a
patchwork of state standards to govern vehicle emissions.
"While Pennsylvania's vehicle emission standards are still
inappropriately linked to those of California, the decision to deny the waiver
request is nonetheless a significant victory for Pennsylvania's motorists and
economy."
Additional Information:
Environment and Energy
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