California Attorney General Opposes EPA's Proposed Rescission of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards

California Attorney General Rob Bonta testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in opposition to the agency's proposed rescission of its 2009 Endangerment Finding, arguing that it would exacerbate climate change and pose a significant risk to public health and welfare. Bonta emphasized that climate change is real and that the science is settled, citing California's own experiences with devastating wildfires, rising sea levels, and extreme heat events. He also highlighted the financial irresponsibility of the proposal, which would lead to decreased investment in climate-friendly technologies and jobs.

Key Takeaways:

• California Attorney General Rob Bonta testified against the EPA's proposed rescission of its 2009 Endangerment Finding, which would remove greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles.
• Bonta emphasized that climate change is real and that the science is settled, citing California's experiences with devastating wildfires, rising sea levels, and extreme heat events.
• California is uniquely harmed by climate change, with rising sea levels, decreasing snowpack, and increasingly intense wildfires.
• The EPA's proposal relies on a draft, unvetted, scientifically unsound report from the Department of Energy to attempt to override the abundant and growing science supporting its Endangerment Finding and motor vehicle GHG emissions standards.
• The technologies necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles exist and are already in use in the market today.
• The proposed rescission of the Endangerment Finding would lead to decreased American investment in the technologies of the future; decreased investment in new factories and jobs; and to the U.S. surrendering its position as the global leader in addressing climate change.
• California is committed to combating the climate crisis and will not stand down against the federal administration's attempts to attack climate science and environmental protection.

Statistics:

• The EPA's climate change proposal would lead to decreased American investment in climate-friendly technologies and jobs.
• The 2009 Endangerment Finding and motor vehicle GHG emissions standards are expected to provide nearly $100 billion of annual net benefits to society, including $13 billion of annual public health benefits due to improved air quality, and $62 billion in reduced consumer costs for drivers.
• The EPA's proposal would increase emissions of climate-destabilizing pollution from the transportation sector, the nation's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.
• 2025: California experienced two of the most destructive fires in its state's history in January of that year.
• 15 years: The motor vehicle GHG emissions standards have been in place for over 15 years.

Sources:

• California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Testimony before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the proposed rescission of its 2009 Endangerment Finding and motor vehicle GHG emissions standards.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding and motor vehicle GHG emissions standards.