For Immediate Release
September 29, 2020
Contact:
Alex Steele
asteele@causecp.org
(970) 306-5280
Arizona State Representatives and Local Advocates Speak Out Against Rollback of U.S. Clean Car Standards During COVID-19 Pandemic
(Phoenix, AZ) — Today, State Representatives Athena Salman (D-26) and Mitzi Epstein (D-18) joined Arizona Public Health Association Executive Director Will Humble and Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Director Sandy Bahr to speak out against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rollback of U.S. clean car standards in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual press conference was hosted by the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter.
On March 31st – in the thick of this ongoing public health and economic crisis – EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler finalized a rollback of federal clean car standards. These standards have been successful in protecting the health of Arizonans and saving families money at the pump. With the transportation sector now the largest source of carbon pollution in the nation, speakers emphasized how these standards combat air pollution and fight climate change. Increased air pollution is making COVID-19 more deadly, particularly for Latino and Native communities and other communities of color across Arizona. Increased carbon pollution in our atmosphere is causing Arizona’s summers to become even hotter and wildfire season to grow deadlier.
“As a member of the Arizona state legislature, I know the most important part of my job is to fight for the health and wellbeing of all those across our state. I am proud to be here today with my colleagues and speak in support of strong clean car standards. All states should be able to decide what is best for their residents, and clean car standards are one of the best tools we have to keep Arizonans healthy and take on deadly air pollution,” said Rep. Athena Salman (D-26).
Even without a pandemic, living with air pollution has been linked to higher rates of lung disease like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the American Lung Association, nearly half of people in the U.S. live in areas where the air is unhealthy. The Phoenix metro region is no stranger to the dangers of air pollution – ranking as the seventh most polluted city by ozone and particle pollution.
“This rollback is nothing more than a thinly veiled attack on state authority,” said Rep Mitzi Epstein (D-18). “The U.S. clean car standards are the best tools we have on the books to combat climate change, and it makes no sense for the EPA to proceed with this rollback in the middle of a public health emergency that preys on those with weakened respiratory function.”
Since implementation of the standards, drivers across the U.S. have saved more than $113 billion and counting, with Arizona residents saving $680 million to date. If these money-saving standards remain in place, Arizona families would save an average of $2,800 at the gas pump and expect 9,700 new jobs by 2030.
“In the fight for clean air, Arizonans need strong clean car standards to take on carbon pollution from vehicles and help accelerate our state’s transition to cleaner technologies. These standards are essential in achieving the promise of clean air for all, and that is why I am speaking out against the EPA’s dangerous actions to roll them back,” said Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Director Sandy Bahr.
For a video of the press conference, click HERE.
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