COMMISSIONER: States' Action Leads to New National Vehicle Standards

ALBANY, NY (04/01/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis issued the following statement in the wake of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) finalization of new federal rules that set the first-ever national greenhouse gas emissions standards and new fuel economy standards for all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States.

"I applaud the EPA and Administrator Lisa Jackson for taking this landmark step to reduce nationwide greenhouse gas pollution from motor vehicles. This important action demonstrates the critical role of states in pioneering new policies and promoting technological advancement. The standards that EPA unveiled today are based on standards previously implemented by New York, California and a dozen other states. EPA would not be making this announcement today if the Clean Air Act and other federal laws did not allow states to innovate and develop new approaches to fighting pollution. Congress should ensure the preservation of this vital role for the states as innovators in any federal climate legislation."