SUBJECT: Statement of Governor Jim Douglas on EPA Decision to Grant California Waiver

Statement of Governor Jim Douglas on the EPA’s decision to grant the California waiver:

“The Obama Administration’s decision to grant California a waiver for its standards restricting greenhouse gas emission from motor vehicles is a significant step in the right direction for Vermont and other states that adopted these standards. My commitment to reducing carbon emissions in Vermont is longstanding as Vermont has been fighting to join California in adopting these standards for some time now.

“As the first state to adopt California’s motor vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards and to successfully defend these standards against legal challenges by the automobile industry in federal court, Vermont is a leader among the more than a dozen states that have adopted these tougher standards.

“Auto emissions are one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas concentrations. This is particularly true in Vermont where the transportation sector accounts for approximately 45 percent of our carbon footprint. That is why reducing an emission from automobiles is so important here in Vermont.

“The Clean Air Act clearly provides states with the right to adopt these emission standards. EPA’s decision to grant a waiver now allows states to enforce these standards. This decision by Administrator Jackson embraces states’ rights and I applaud the EPA action.”

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