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EPA blocks Florida from cutting vehicle pollution

Clean Cars programs overturned in 17 states

On Dec. 19, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson announced his decision to deny a waiver for California under the Clean Air Act that would allow the state to implement global warming pollution standards for cars and trucks—one of the largest and fastest growing sources of pollution.

The decision flies in the face of the July 11 executive order signed by Gov. Charlie Crist that would have made Florida the 13th state in the nation to adopt a Clean Cars program. Environment Florida worked with staff at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to ensure that Florida uses all of the tools at our disposal to cut global warming pollution.

Unless California is granted a waiver by the EPA, Gov. Crist’s executive order—and the efforts of the 16 other states that have adopted or are in the process of adopting Clean Cars programs—is negated.

Science ignored

EPA’s denial of Clean Cars programs undermines a powerful global warming pollution reduction tool available to states looking to do their part.
 
“EPA has turned a blind eye to law, science and the critical role that states like Florida are playing in tackling global warming. In doing so, the Bush administration is blocking Florida’s efforts to tackle global warming and dramatically reduce harmful air pollutants,” said Environment Florida Director Mark Ferrulo. 

Earlier this year, Environment Florida released a report showing that, in Florida alone, a Clean Cars program would cut global warming pollution 54.4 million metric tons by 2020—the same as removing 13.8 million of today’s cars from the road for a year.
 
“This decision by the Bush administration flies in the face of public support for policy-makers to do more to address the challenge of global warming,” said Ferrulo.

“We are confident that the courts will overturn this flawed decision, and allow Florida to move forward with these much-needed global warming pollution standards for cars and trucks,” said Ferrulo.