South Raleigh News

Attorney General Josh Stein has voiced his support for the new vehicle emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In a statement, Stein emphasized the importance of the rule in protecting both air quality and public health, while providing automakers with clear guidelines for building new cars. He stated, “This rule protects our air and health and gives automakers a reasonable set of guidelines to follow when building new cars. The EPA is taking responsible, necessary steps to protect the air we breathe and to address climate change, and I support these efforts.”

The EPA's new rule aims to address the significant impact of motor vehicle emissions on greenhouse gas emissions, with passenger cars alone contributing to over half of transportation emissions. These emissions are linked to various health issues such as premature death, respiratory illness, cardiovascular problems, and cancer.

Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is mandated to establish emission standards for air pollutants from new motor vehicles that endanger public health or welfare. The new standards will result in a substantial decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles, as well as reductions in nitrogen oxides, non-methane organic gases, and particulate matter.

Attorney General Stein collaborated with a coalition of attorneys general from various states and jurisdictions to file a motion in support of the EPA's rule. The coalition includes representatives from California, Arizona, Colorado, and many other states, as well as entities like the Commonwealths of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and several cities.

The joint effort underscores a collective commitment to advancing environmental protection and public health through stringent emission standards for vehicles. The motion filed by the coalition can be accessed for further details.

The EPA's initiative, backed by Attorney General Josh Stein and a coalition of legal representatives, signifies a significant step towards reducing harmful emissions and promoting a transition towards cleaner transportation technologies.