WASHINGTON (December 7, 2023)—Yesterday, the U.S. House narrowly passed a bill, HR 4468, targeting federal light-duty vehicle emissions rules. The bill would prevent the implementation of new pollution standards for passenger cars and trucks, force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to revise existing rules, and potentially prevent future standards for tailpipe pollution from being created. This bill would undermine the federal government’s ability to effectively reduce pollution from vehicles, endangering public health and the climate, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
Below is a statement by Steven Higashide, director of the Clean Transportation Program at UCS.
“Transportation is the biggest source of global warming pollution in the country, and strong vehicle-emissions standards are absolutely essential to reining in that pollution. Yesterday, the U.S. House tried to slam on the brakes and throw us into reverse. This bill is a direct attack on some of the most important policies on the books to reduce pollution and save drivers money at the gas pump. If it became law, it would stamp out innovation in automotive technology and leave U.S. manufacturers and auto workers behind in the global marketplace. It’s short-sighted and foolish.
“Fortunately, this bill is unlikely to get any further than House passage. But it’s deeply troubling to see so many members of the House endorsing a bill that would harm their constituents’ health, the U.S. auto industry’s future, and the global climate.”