Minnesota Commits to Climate Action in the Face of Trump Administration’s Attack on Clean Car Standards

MINNESOTA – Today, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota will join the growing list of states adopting the clean car standards, which require new cars sold in the state to emit fewer greenhouse gases. They also mandate an increasing percentage of new cars sold in the state to be zero emission-vehicles.

The move comes after last week’s announcement that the Trump administration is revoking the California waiver that sets more stringent greenhouse gas standards than the federal standards, as well as a Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which other states are authorized to adopt under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act.

Cars and trucks on Minnesota roads are the number one source of climate-disrupting pollution in the state. Minnesotans are already feeling the impacts of a changing climate, with winters warming 13 times faster than summers and extreme weather becoming more frequent. Clean Cars Minnesota will result in cleaner air and lakes, and help Minnesota consumers save money.

In response, Minnesota Sierra Club Chapter Director Margaret Levin released the following statement:

“We applaud the Walz-Flanagan administration for standing up for clean air, clean water and a healthy climate -- and against the Trump administration’s indefensible attack on our communities and our future. Clean car standards are critical to meeting Minnesota’s climate goals, and the rights of states to protect their residents from pollution have overwhelming support. This is a critical move that will help preserve the Minnesota we know and love for generations to come.”