Debbie Dingell (D-MI) On Auto Pollution Rules Fight: "Really Not Interested In A Pissing Contest"

[hatrack]

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“I’m really not interested in a pissing contest between California and this administration, to be perfectly blunt,” snapped Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) at one point two hours in, speaking to Heidi King, deputy administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Bill Wehrum, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

California is at war with the Trump administration over the state’s right under the Clean Air Act to an EPA waiver allowing it to set its own air pollution standards for vehicles. The state has exercised that right for decades, and 12 states along with the District of Columbia have similarly adopted California’s standards, representing 35% of the U.S. population and 1 in every 3 cars sold nationwide.

But in August 2018, the EPA proposed a nationwide freeze on federal fuel economy standards at 2020 levels — a direct strike at California over the objections of the EPA’s own staff. Efforts to resolve the problem fell apart in February, when federal officials said they had decided to end negotiations with California, further escalating tension.

“For decades, California has led the way on developing the gold standard for emissions,” said Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) in opening remarks, offering a defense of the state’s standards. Other top Democrats similarly began on the offensive. “This action would have lasting negative consequences for the American auto industry,” said Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), chair of the House Energy Committee’s climate subcommittee. Pointing to analysis showing that standardizing auto standards nationally would hurt U.S. jobs in addition to compromising “our public health and the environment,” Tonko blasted the Trump administration’s attack on California’s standards. “This proposal takes us even farther backwards on climate,” he asserted.

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https://thinkprogress.org/california-trump-auto-emissions-war-fight-b76829064e4a/

[riversedge]

1. Debbie is her father's daughter, that is for sure.