350PDX: Climate Justice
  • Take Action!
    • Things to do right now
    • Volunteer
    • Trainings
    • Join the mailing list
    • Endorsement Requests
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • What is Climate Justice?
    • Key Accomplishments
    • Leadership and Staff
    • Job Opportunities
    • Financial Transparency
    • Contact Us
  • Teams & Campaigns
    • Fossil Fuel Resistance
    • Forest Defense
    • City / County Watchdog Team
    • Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)
    • Creative Team
  • Calendar
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu

Climate Change Snapshots #3

June 16, 2017/in Creative, News /by Chris Palmer

 

California is our nation’s environmental umbrella. Although the EPA generally has complete authority to set pollution standards for cars, Section 209 of the Clean Air Act grants CA the power to set its own emissions standards for new motor vehicles through the use of waivers, i.e. – CA has the ability to set a higher standard than the federal government. In addition, other states can opt into CA’s higher standards over the federal ones. 14 states, totaling 40% of the US’s population (states in green) have adopted CA’s standards. With such a large proportion of the nation’s autos covered by the higher standards, automakers are forced to abide by the higher standards or lose money making vehicles that meet two different regulations.

For forty years the EPA has granted all but one of the more than 100 waivers sought by CA and the single denial was later overturned.

Higher emissions standards are a common sense good. Studies show that as these higher standards go into effect in the opted in (green) states, drivers will save billions of dollars, while dramatically reducing global warming pollution from tailpipes, one of the major sources of global warming pollution. By 2020 these standards are estimated to reduce green house gas emissions by over 100 million metric tons.

This is especially relevant now because Scott Pruitt, new head of the EPA, has indicated the EPA will be considering whether it will stop granting waivers to CA (legally questionable) or try to revoke CA’s current waiver (highly dubious). The battle lines over the country’s environmental health are being drawn.

For a great synopsis check out:

The Atlantic: “The Coming Clean-Air War Between Trump and California”

Other sources include: EPA, NRDC, Wired, Autonews

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Google+
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Share on Vk
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail

More from 350PDX

  • Activist News Roundup
  • Announcements
  • Climate Heroes
  • Climate Odyssey
  • Climate Science
  • Divestment
  • Editorial
  • Fossil Fuel Resistence
  • Just Transition
  • Pipe Dreams

Galleries

  • Peoples Climate March 2017May 1, 2017 - 10:18 pm
  • FFP-Code Nov 10 Rally and HearingNovember 16, 2016 - 3:23 pm
  • Lincoln High Visits City HallNovember 4, 2016 - 11:10 pm
  • Sept 25 – No DAPL RallySeptember 26, 2016 - 12:33 pm
  • FFP Code Rally and HearingSeptember 19, 2016 - 1:32 pm
  • Metro DivestsAugust 1, 2016 - 11:32 am
  • Oil Train Flash MobJuly 23, 2016 - 1:57 pm
  • Vancouver Fossil Fuel Resolution RallyJuly 21, 2016 - 12:36 pm
  • SW Team PicnicJuly 20, 2016 - 1:30 pm
  • Fossil Fuel Policy Breakfast Rally – 7-13-16July 14, 2016 - 10:01 am
  • Don’t Shoot PDX March – 7.13.16July 13, 2016 - 11:40 pm
  • 47 Lives of Lac-Megantic – We RememberJuly 8, 2016 - 2:36 pm

Search

Sitemap
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2022 350PDX.ORG ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Giving Options
  • Become a sustaining or one-time donor

Follow us on social media!

facebook logo twitter logo instagram logo
Contact

Mailing address: 3625 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227

Office Phone: (503) 281-1485

General Inquiries: info@350pdx.org

May Climate Science News Roundup Oregon’s First Cooperative Solar Project Completed
Scroll to top