MATSUI, SEEC COLLEAGUES SLAM HOUSE REPUBLICAN WHOLESALE ATTACK ON AMERICA’S CLEAN TRANSPORTATION FUTURE

Washington, D.C. - Today, 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, and Katie Porter, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly, released the following statement in response to the House passage of the Republican-led resolution blocking implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) emission standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles post-model year 2026.

"Once again, House Republicans are pandering to their oil and gas allies at the expense of the American people. The EPA emissions standards protect Americans from dangerous air pollution by placing reasonable limits on pollutants emitted by passenger vehicles and light trucks. These common-sense safeguards are widely supported across the board by everyone from vehicle manufacturers to union workers.

"Despite Republican rhetoric, EPA's emissions standards are not an 'EV mandate' but rather a continuation of decades of technology-neutral and performance-based standards that have spurred vehicle technology innovation and protected Americans' health. If Republicans had their way, they would rob Americans of $13 billion in annual public health benefits and $6,000 in pocketbook savings over the lifetime of the vehicles covered by these standards.

"If that weren't enough, earlier this week Republicans in the Energy and Commerce Committee also voted to strike down EPA's heavy-duty vehicle emissions standards, further creating unnecessary uncertainty in the U.S. vehicle market that is already rapidly innovating. At the exact same moment, SEEC joined in a celebration of American jobs and innovation in the clean heavy-duty vehicle industry, along with business leaders, vehicle manufacturers, union workers, truck drivers, and parents and children who all collectively cheered on this burgeoning American manufacturing sector.

"These dueling events demonstrate sharply contrasting visions for America: one stuck in a polluting past and the other building toward a clean future. We at SEEC will continue to fight to keep the U.S. in the driver's seat leading the world in the clean energy transition."

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