Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), released the following statement following reports that President Trump is considering revoking California’s legal authority to set state tailpipe pollutions standards:

            “The Clean Air Act conveys specific legal authority to California to set tailpipe emissions. Reports that the administration plans to revoke that authority are very troubling. This would be another effort to skirt the law and force Americans to buy dirtier cars that cost more at the pump.

            “We’ve made tremendous progress strengthening fuel economy standards, and those standards are working, saving families more than $60 billion at the pump while reducing harmful emissions.

            “Even automakers support strong standards. The recent agreement between California and four major automakers to establish more strict fuel economy standards proves that. That agreement is aggressive, achievable and supports innovation that will allow the industry to compete globally in a lower-carbon future.

            “It’s remarkable that in the face of overwhelming evidence of climate change and several seasons of disastrous weather events, this administration continues to fight the law and science rather than fight climate change.

            “California will not give up its legal authority to set tailpipe emissions. I expect the administration’s effort, like so many other bad ideas, will be taken to court and overturned.  In the meantime, I continue to urge other automakers to join California to build on the agreement committing to stricter fuel economy standards.”

Background

• Under the Clean Air Act, California has unique authority to set its own tailpipe emissions, which 13 other states and the District of Columbia have adopted. Prior to the Trump administration, the federal government worked with California to establish increasing efficiency benchmarks.

• In response to letters Senator Feinstein lead with 29 of her colleagues, several automakers have indicated they’re reviewing the details of the recent agreement between California and Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen, and may be interested in joining.

• Senator Feinstein was the lead sponsor of the bipartisan Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act. The bill passed in 2007 requires the administration to set the maximum feasible fuel economy standards, which are currently scheduled to increase to more than 50 mpg by 2025.

• Senator Feinstein joined with Senator Harris to introduce a resolution supporting a single set of national fuel economy standards and recognizing California’s authority to set strong emissions standards.