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For Immediate Release
December 20, 2007
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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."
CONTACTS:
Pat
Henderson (Sen. White)
717-787-9684
Craig Shuey
(Sen. Madigan)
717-787-3280
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