Pelosi Statement on EPA Decision Denying California Waiver Request

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued
the following statement tonight after the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) announced a decision to deny California and 14 other states a waiver to
reduce greenhouse gases:
"After 32 years of inaction, Congress has taken the historic step of
increasing fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. But just
a few short hours after the President signed this landmark legislation, the
Administration seized on the new CAFE standard as an excuse to deny California
and 14 other states a waiver to implement laws to reduce greenhouse gas
pollutions form vehicles.
"What is clear is that the Administration's announcement undermines the
ability of the states to protect their citizens from the dangers of global
warming.
"The Bush Administration has repeatedly blocked federal and international
action on global warming. When the states took action, the Administration
chose to stifle true progress on preventing global warming and protecting our
children's heritage.
"The threat of climate change to California's communities, coastline,
ecosystems, water supply and health of its citizens is clear and compelling.
Two federal courts have ruled that California has the legal right to set its
own greenhouse gas standards for vehicles, and other states have the right to
follow.
"We will examine this decision closely as part of our broader efforts to
ensure America's energy security."
SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House

Brendan Daly or Nadeam Elshami, +1-202-226-7616, both of The Office of the
Speaker of the House