Press Releases

The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko, Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Matt Cartwright, Sean Casten, Chellie Pingree, Katie Porter, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly, alongside SEEC Member Rep. Yvette Clarke released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal on greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles sold in the United States. Rep. Matsui and Rep. Clarke have been longtime champions of stronger vehicle emission standards, and in anticipation of today’s proposed rule, the Congresswomen previously led 54 of their colleagues in a February letter urging EPA to propose stringent emission standards for new vehicles.

“Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new greenhouse gas emission vehicle standards that would make the United States a global leader in the fight to cut vehicle emissions,” said SEEC Leadership. “The transportation sector is responsible for more than a quarter of U.S. emissions, representing a major driver of the ongoing climate crisis. Slashing tailpipe emissions is one of the most effective ways to protect our families and communities from the worsening impacts of global warming.”

“The window to meet our Paris Agreement goals and keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius is rapidly closing. California continues to lead the nation with the Advanced Clean Cars II standards, but we cannot do this alone,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui. “I am pleased to see the EPA has heeded our calls to enact aggressive national emission standards, taking into account the transformational investments in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, which have significantly and rapidly altered the technological and economic landscape for zero-emission vehicles. I urge the EPA to finalize the strongest possible rule and to do so before the end of this year. The longer we wait to curb emissions, the harder and more costly it will be.”

"Overcoming the climate crisis necessitates action against its root causes,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. “I commend the EPA’s bold proposed strong national emission standards that will not only disrupt a significant source of America’s greenhouse gas emissions, but signal other nations to follow in our climate-forward footsteps. Through similar common-sense measures, we can reach our vital zero-emission goals – I look forward to continuing working alongside my colleagues in the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and our allies in the EPA to achieve just that."