Complete list of press releases

(Washington, D.C. – Thursday, October 20, 2016) Today, the Office of Management and Budget and the White House Council on Environmental Quality released guidelines for federal agencies to use in the review and permitting of restoration projects for the Gulf Coast. These guidelines will be used as a blueprint for the Gulf Coast Interagency Environmental Working Group, which is the coordinating body for federal agencies working on restoration and responsible for overseeing restoration efforts funded by the penalties BP paid for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Conservation groups working on Gulf restoration – Environmental Defense Fund, the National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Ocean Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy – issued the following joint statement:

“The White House’s new guidance will help fast track Gulf restoration. Their emphasis on restoring the Gulf ecosystem, coordination between agencies, timely review and transparency will keep the restoration process on the right track.

“This is a signal from the Obama administration that Gulf restoration is a high priority that should move swiftly.  Getting restoration projects on the ground quickly should be a federal priority, as the people of the Gulf Coast are relying on a strong ecosystem to keep their homes, businesses and communities safe.”

(NEW YORK, NY – October 18, 2016) Federal officials today released a comprehensive new report on the safety and reliability risks at over 400 natural gas storage facilities in more than 30 states. The assessment was commissioned after the disastrous four-month rupture at the 70-year-old Aliso Canyon site outside Los Angeles, which was first discovered on October 23, 2015.

These aging facilities are a crucial part of the nation’s energy infrastructure. They are not currently governed by any federal safety or environmental rules. State standards, where they exist, vary widely in both quality and effectiveness.

Statement by Mark Brownstein, EDF Vice President, Climate and Energy

“This new report accurately describes the serious safety and environmental hazards involved with these crumbling links in our energy infrastructure. The challenge now is taking action. We need stronger safety standards at both the state and federal level, and to make sure that state and federal officials are working together to close the gaps in the safety net. We also need market reforms that reduce the nation’s dependence on gas and gas storage.

“There are more than 400 of these facilities in at least 30 states that that aren’t covered by federal safety or environmental rules, while state regulations vary widely in quality and effectiveness. Many of these facilities are old and have problems related to initial well construction and long-term corrosion. The older these systems get, the more leaks and blowouts become a problem. Right now, we’re effectively crossing our fingers, hoping for the best.

“The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has a policy in the works to address many of these issues. But the legal and technical issues involved are complicated, and they need to make sure they get it right. Otherwise they might actually create new gaps in a safety net that already has too many holes. They shouldn’t just adopt industry guidelines, as some have suggested. It’s also important not to override or preempt states’ ability to act.

“The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should also be looking carefully at new market reforms to reduce future dependence on gas and gas storage.”

(Washington, D.C. – October 14, 2016) The first briefs were filed last night in legal challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) climate pollution standards for new, modified, and reconstructed power plants.

States, coal mining interests, and coal-intensive power companies who are challenging the standards filed three briefs with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in the case (State of North Dakota v. EPA, No. 15-1381). 

A broad and diverse coalition has intervened to defend the standards in court ­— including eighteen states, two cities, the American Lung Association and eight other public health organizations, environmental groups including Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and nine power companies and municipal power authorities. EPA’s brief rebutting the challenges to the new source standards will be filed by December 14^th, and the intervenors supporting EPA will file their briefs by December 21^st.

“The climate pollution standards for new power plants are common sense climate and public health protections with a solid legal and technical foundation,” said Tomas Carbonell, Director of Regulatory Policy and Lead Attorney for EDF. “These standards will finally prevent the release of unlimited climate pollution from new power plants. We look forward to presenting a robust defense of the standards in court.” 

The standards establish the first nationwide limits on carbon dioxide from new, modified, and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired power plants. They were finalized last October.

EDF is also a party to litigation over the Clean Power Plan, which sets the first national standards for existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit just heard oral argument in that case on September 27^th.  

You can find all the legal briefs in both cases on EDF’s website. 

(New Orleans, LA – October 12, 2016) Today, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) announced that it is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mid-Barataria sediment diversion. With this move, CPRA advances this key restoration project through the federally-mandated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, which will provide opportunities for the public and stakeholders to learn more about the project and provide feedback into how the project will be constructed. It will also result in a written report that outlines potential impacts and mitigation options.

Responding to this long-awaited and critical step forward, members of Restore the Mississippi River Delta – Environmental Defense Fund, the National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation – released the following statement:

“This step forward indicates CPRA’s recognition of the urgency of our land loss crisis and the state’s commitment to addressing it. We are pleased to see action toward the state’s goal of breaking ground on this project by 2020, and we urge the state and federal and local partners to do everything possible to meet this goal.

“Sediment diversions, which mimic the natural processes that built the land we live on in the first place, have been part of our state’s restoration planning arsenal for decades. We are nearing the day when sediment diversions, which will build and sustain land for decades to come, become a reality not only for today but for future generations.

“This important EIS process will help inform how to best construct the Mid-Barataria sediment diversion – before it’s too late. The process will empower the public and other stakeholders, by giving them the opportunity to provide feedback on operations and other details of the project and ensure relevant questions are answered.

“Given future challenges of sea level rise and continued land loss, the state must advance the most powerful restoration projects to match the severity of our crisis. Sediment diversions are a cornerstone of our state’s restoration plan that seeks to secure a sustainable future for coastal Louisiana’s people, industries, wildlife and abundant natural resources.” 

A lengthy article published this week on AL.com seriously misrepresents the work of Environmental Defense Fund to advance fishery management reforms. Matt Tinning, Senior Director U.S. Oceans Program, released the following response:

“For the second time this year, AL.com has published a sloppy, inaccurate and inflammatory opinion piece about U.S. fisheries masquerading as investigative reporting. The writer’s primary focus is the Gulf of Mexico.

“AL.com, which gave EDF no opportunity to respond to many of the allegations leveled in their article, is failing its readers by presenting a distorted and factually-flawed picture of how Gulf fisheries are managed.

“Fisheries management is complex, and every decision involves difficult trade-offs based on a web of competing considerations about sustainability, access and societal impacts. In the Gulf of Mexico, EDF has worked with commercial fishermen, seafood buyers, recreational anglers, and government authorities for the last 15 years to help navigate these complex issues. We’ve done so with the singular focus of overcoming the profound management failures of the past and restoring fisheries to health for the benefit of the Gulf of Mexico’s coastal communities now and for future generations.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve helped achieve. When we started, fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico were stuck under failing management that had perpetuated overfishing and reduced the population of Gulf red snapper to four percent of its historic level. Commercial fishermen worked in a derby fishery that forced them to fish in ever-shorter seasons. They often had to fish in dangerous weather and could not develop regular markets with buyers who needed more even supply.

“The new commercial management system known as an individual fishing quota (IFQ), which went on the water in 2007, has transformed the fishery. The initial allocation of quota was based on catch history, and a six percent consolidation cap was included to prevent concentration of quota in the hands of any one participant. The AL.com piece presents faulty numbers to make the false claim that some participants own much higher percentages. EDF believes that well designed fisheries management systems can prevent concentration. The claim that we favor ‘privatization’ of the resource is preposterous.

“Today, revenues for fishermen have doubled and the population of red snapper has tripled. In contrast with the pre-IFQ system, new entrants join the fishery every year, and many commercial fishermen are leading the way on innovations making the fishery even more sustainable. Restaurants, groceries stores and other seafood buyers are strong supporters of the commercial IFQ because it allows them to provide delicious, sustainable and local seafood (which they often struggled to obtain before 2007) to millions of customers.

“The Gulf of Mexico’s recreational anglers – many of whom had simply stopped targeting red snapper before 2007 because population decline had made them so hard to find – have seen their total allowable catch more than double. However, in contrast with commercial fishermen, they remain stuck under a failing management system that uses crude and outdated tools such as season limits. Many anglers are working to find better approaches. By using modern technologies like real-time tablet reporting to count every fish that they catch, headboats and charter captains can avoid the crippling economic consequences of short seasons and fish when customer demand is high.

“We’re proud to support these vital coastal small-businesses in their efforts to reform a failing system. And as private anglers consider what lessons they can learn from other wildlife management contexts (such as the rules embraced by hunters and freshwater fishermen) as an alternative to frustratingly short recreational seasons, we stand ready to assist.

“We look forward to being given space on AL.com’s website soon to respond in detail. Until then, we’ll proudly continue our work in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere to improve the health of the oceans and the livelihoods of America’s fishermen.”

Environmental Defense Fund welcomes the decision of the 191-nation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its 39th Assembly in Montreal, adopting a global market-based measure limiting the net carbon dioxide emissions of international flights to 2020 levels. This historic agreement – the first to limit the total emissions of an entire global industry sector – was adopted with extremely broad support of the ICAO member states. To date, some 65 countries have signaled their interest in participating in the measure from the get-go. EDF estimates that some 2.5 billion tonnes of emissions would need to be reduced or offset based on the covered flights.

“This agreement positions aviation to be an engine for achieving reductions in carbon pollution around the globe, while spurring innovations to reduce the sector’s own emissions.  Coming the day after the Paris Agreement passed the threshold for entry into force, ICAO’s action sends a powerful signal worldwide that governments, airlines and the aviation industry, and civil society together are recognizing the urgency of climate action.

“Achieving carbon neutral growth from 2020 is a significant step in its own right.  And with robust implementation, the market-based measure can serve as a springboard to greater ambition, not only for the aviation sector, but – through market linkages worldwide – also for emitting sectors more broadly.

“The agreement is not perfect – few are.  But it does provide a vital basis for moving forward. The first key step will be developing strong standards to ensure transparency, environmental integrity, and even broader participation. EDF is committed to participating in that work. 

“Securing the MBM, together with strong standards for implementation which remain to be developed, offers the potential to spur finance for low-carbon development, including in developing countries that depend on air travel for connectedness and economic growth. Capacity-building for implementing the MBM needs to begin right away, in parallel with the finalization of technical standards, in order to ensure that the MBM secures even broader participation than the more than three-quarters of anticipated emissions growth that is currently set to be covered by the agreement.”

• Nathaniel Keohane, Vice President, Global Climate, Environmental Defense Fund

(October 5, 2016)  The Paris climate agreement will enter into force in 30 days, with 72 countries representing 56.75% of global greenhouse gas emissions having ratified the agreement. Originally slated to take effect by 2020, the Paris Agreement will now enter into force on November 4, 2016 because the threshold of 55 countries representing 55 percent of global emissions has been reached. The first meeting of countries party to the Paris Agreement will now take place in Marrakesh, Morocco during this year’s climate talks, known as COP 22, November 7-18.

“Less than a year after the Paris Agreement was adopted, we have reached the thresholds for entry into force in record time for a climate agreement — marking another major milestone in the history of climate action. The swiftness with which countries joined the agreement, four years earlier than originally anticipated, shows they recognize the urgency of fighting climate change, and demonstrates clear momentum around the globe to address climate change. But we have no time to waste. Countries now need to translate their climate commitments into concrete actions, and get to work implementing their pledges. 

“The agreement’s early entry into force should motivate governments to speed up implementation of the agreement.  A strong transparency framework for countries to report emissions and progress toward meeting their targets, along with robust accounting rules to avoid double counting, will be critical to realizing the promise of Paris. Greater ambition over time starts with a strong framework for countries to demonstrate credibly and transparently how they are making progress in reducing emissions – in order to build trust that targets are being met, and confidence that countries can do more.

“Early entry into force should also add a sense of urgency to the work of the COP in Marrakech in November.  Negotiators need to roll up their sleeves and get to work on the rules and guidance that will put Paris into practice. And countries need to start the process of revising and strengthening their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for submission by 2020.  

“Early entry into force of the agreement also provides policy certainty needed by investors, the private sector, and the public. It sends a powerful, immediate signal to global markets that governments take the agreement seriously, and that this is the time to invest in clean energy.”

“This may prove to be a historic week for climate action in another way as well, as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is on the cusp of reaching the first global agreement limiting the CO2 emissions of an entire industry sector – international aviation.  The market-based measure could secure 2.5 billion tons of avoided carbon pollution over the first fifteen years of the program – a vital step forward.  While much more work will be needed to translate the promise of the ICAO market-based measure into reality and strengthen it going forward, strong support for the measure from over 180 nations, airlines, manufacturers, and broad segments of civil society underscore that the world is beginning to unite around the need for fast action on climate change.” 

·       Nathaniel Keohane, Vice President, Global Climate, Environmental Defense Fund

(Washington, D.C. – Oct. 5, 2016) – Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) announced today a strategic vision to work together to develop, deliver and promote the Investor Confidence Project (I CP) as the premier global underwriting standard for energy efficiency projects. ICP will join GBCI’s portfolio of credentials and certifications, and the organizations will work together to accelerate investment in energy efficiency.

The announcement follows the rapid rise in the adoption of the ICP system, including its certification for Investor-Ready Energy Efficiency™ (IREE) projects in the buildings sector, with successful programs and pilots in the United States and Europe.

“Investment in energy efficiency is one of the most powerful levers for transforming the built environment. GBCI and EDF are ensuring that these investments yield positive results for the environment and the bottom line,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president, GBCI, and COO, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “GBCI continues to expand its portfolio to work toward a greener future, and the Investor Confidence Project is another big step in engaging the financial community in driving smart, energy-saving decisions that will deliver higher performance in existing buildings worldwide.”

ICP works to transform the energy efficiency market by increasing confidence in the financial and environmental performance of building retrofits. It offers investors and developers a standardized roadmap to assess risk and deliver on project results by optimizing performance and monitoring the outcome of energy efficiency investments to generate financial savings. By streamlining transactions and increasing the reliability of projected energy savings through its IREE certification, ICP reduces overhead costs to bring energy efficiency projects to market.

“The world’s buildings account for about 40 percent of all energy use, and, in major cities like New York and London, that figure as much as doubles. What’s more, up to half of this energy is wasted,” said Andy Darrell, chief of strategy, Global Energy and Finance at Environmental Defense Fund. “ICP offers a system for investors and developers to access the trillion dollar energy efficiency market, which remains largely untapped and is key to curbing climate change. Our partnership with GBCI builds on ICP’s momentum, mobilizing capital to finance efficiency and cutting harmful pollution around the world.”

 GBCI will work to scale ICP from a project conceived, incubated and developed at EDF in the U.S. and Europe to a market-based standard, housed at GBCI and capable of global growth and alignment with other GBCI programs.

“We’ve known for decades there’s a lot of potential for financial returns locked up in the way buildings use energy. ICP provides a standard platform for project developers and underwriters to use to ensure building retrofits capture as much of this potential as possible,” said Matt Golden, ICP’s director. “The partnership with GBCI will help ICP usher a new era of market-driven performance and achieve global scale.” 

 The ICP system includes more than 70 credentialed project developers, and its projects are deemed ICP-compliant and IREE certified by independent quality assurance providers. These include leading energy efficiency firms in the U.S. and Europe, and other firms who directly interact with energy efficiency customers.

ICP is running a pilot through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and is working with Pacific Gas and Electric in California to provide interest-free loans to contractors who develop ICP investor-ready projects.

Backed by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program, and with philanthropic support, ICP has developed European-wide protocols and a certification based on national and international standards. It is also working with more than 200 leaders in finance, engineering and real estate in the continent through its Investor Network, Ally Network, and Technical Working Group, including a portfolio of hospital renovations led by the Carbon and Energy Fund.

Bettiah, Bihar, October 1^st, 2016: Honorable Minister Radha Mohan Singh launched the DeHaat App- a technology platform that offers 360-degree value chain services to farmers at Town Hall, Bettiah. The event brought together key stakeholders in the agriculture sector on one platform namely Honorable Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal MP West Champaran, Dr. R.K. Das CGM NABARD, Dr. R.C. Srivastav Vice Chancellor RAU-PUSA and Shri Ganesh Ram Director BAMETI. Representatives of JEEVIKA, CSISA, ICAR, ATMA, and state administration officials-District Agriculture Officer, District Horticulture Officer and Block Agriculture officers were also present at the event.

Farmers in India, and more so in Bihar, face multiple constraints in the agriculture value chain. These include obtaining fertilizers, and pesticides of reliable quality, at the right price and the right time. There is limited access to credit which could help them get relevant and quality inputs such as seed drills and paddy transplanters. If facilitated, these can significantly reduce their operating costs. Post production, a lack of market information and access also restrict their profit potential.

Hence the farmers are unable to make smart choices, which could result in more efficient resource utilization, lower costs, higher yields, better profits and sustainability.

Farms and Farmers (FnF) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) are examples of two partners, who are innovating to deliver 360 degree value chain services to farmers in support of profitable, sustainable, and climate resilient agriculture.

“Reduced input costs and improved yields are essential to promote farmer profitability” said Radha Mohan Singh on resource use efficiency as the way forward in the agriculture sector. He also stressed the importance of scientific methods referring to the importance of soil testing; coupled with strong extension services to drive growth in the Indian agriculture sector. The discussion also addressed finding ways in which current existing schemes of the government such as National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and in line with the Second Agriculture Road Map Government of Bihar can be integrated with the DeHaat centres on ground as a way to improve outreach and local access for farmers to these services.

The DeHaat App offers a solution to these key constraints and aligns with the existing vision and programmes of the government. The App has features of farmer profile management, technology and information related to best agricultural practices, M commerce platform for over 400 agri inputs that offers wider choice to farmers, farm equipment at better rates, and farm based advisory on a real time basis. The technological platform coupled with a strong grass root institutional structure of micro-entrepreneurs help farmers through reduction in input purchase cost per unit of yield by 10-15%, yield enhancement upto 20% and better market price discovery at 10-12%.

Five DeHaat centres were launched in West Champaran and nearly 2000 farmers have been enrolled into DeHaat over the last three months. DeHaat augments this tech platform with on ground trainings and in person extension services, timely crop advisory through continuous engagement such as crop reminders in the local languages on the farmer’s phone and a toll free number (1800 270 1420) for immediate support to farmers - The aim is to cover the entire district over the next two years.

“Champaran is where Gandhiji conducted his first Satyagraha in India focused on the rights of indigo farmers in the region. Next year is its hundredth anniversary. It is appropriate that we begin the work here in this district” said Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal MP West Champaran who has laid out a vision for working with all relevant stakeholders to reform the agriculture landscape in Champaran.

It’s an exciting moment and opportunity to carve the path of sustainable and scalable growth -for both DeHaat and the farmers of Bihar.

For more on FnF: http://www.farmsnfarmers.org/

For more on EDF: https://www.edf.org/climate/india-development-while-fighting-climate-change 

For further information on the event please contact: 

Representative from FnF: Urvashi Swami, urvashi@farmsnfarmers.org

Representative from EDF: Rishika Jerath, rishika.jerath@gmail.com

(Washington, D.C. – September 27, 2016) Ten judges of the nation’s most powerful federal circuit court heard seven hours of oral argument today on the Clean Power Plan – the first national limits on climate pollution from America’s power plants. 

“This was a good day in court for America’s Clean Power Plan and for healthier air, a safer climate and economic prosperity,” said Vickie Patton, general counsel for Environmental Defense Fund, which was a party to the case. “It was a far-ranging and lively day of argument. The questions posed by the judges today reflected an understanding that the Clean Power Plan establishes eminently achievable emission reduction targets based on cost-effective, proven approaches that the power sector has been utilizing for decades – and is consistent with clean air policies adopted by Republican and Democratic administrations alike.”

Today’s argument featured impressive presentations from the broad and diverse suite of parties supporting the Clean Power Plan, including attorneys representing states and municipalities across the country, power companies that own a substantial portion of the nation’s generating capacity, clean energy companies, and environmental and public health organizations. 

The judges explored a number of issues – including the methodology that EPA used to establish the emission reduction requirements in the Clean Power Plan, the agency’s authority to regulate carbon pollution from existing power plants, and a variety of procedural and technical issues.

Among other highlights of today’s argument, the judges expressed deep skepticism of the Clean Power Plan opponents’ claims that EPA lacks authority to regulate carbon dioxide from existing power plants. Many of these same opponents urged the Supreme Court to rule only five years ago that section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act – the provision that is the basis for the Clean Power Plan – authorizes regulation of these emissions.  One judge noted that the opponents’ current position on this issue amounted to a “bait and switch.”

The Clean Power Plan now rests in the hands of the judges. Although no one can predict the outcome of the case based on today’s oral argument, supporters of the Clean Power Plan presented compelling and forceful arguments.

“In sports terms, we left it all out on the field,” said Patton. “It’s a privilege to be a part of this historic case to defend the Clean Power Plan in the race against time to address the climate crisis.”

(New Orleans – Sept. 27, 2016) Language to be added to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to authorize a signed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief’s Report for the Southwest Coastal Louisiana Feasibility Study should be adopted, according to Restore the Mississippi River Delta – a coalition of national and statewide conservation organizations working in Louisiana.

The study recommends more than $3 billion in investments in coastal restoration and risk reduction efforts to strengthen the region’s multiple lines of defense from storms and coastal flooding. The provision, authored by U.S. Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA) and now included in a package of amendments supported by congressional leadership, is expected to pass this week. If adopted and the full WRDA also passes, the President and Congress would have to seek funding for the project through the annual federal appropriations process.

Restore the Mississippi River Delta strongly supports the U.S. House of Representatives’ efforts to follow the U.S. Senate’s lead in including the authorization and released the following statement:

“It’s time to authorize this report and move it into action. More than 10 years after Hurricane Rita devastated the very area addressed in this study, we urge the U.S. House of Representatives to authorize this report to help better protect the people, wildlife and jobs of southwest Louisiana.

“This Chief’s report presents a strong vision for coastal restoration and protection that supports the state’s Coastal Master Plan and will have a tremendous impact on the future of this nationally significant region.”

(SACRAMENTO – September 27, 2016) California Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 1937 (Gomez) into law yesterday, protecting communities already disproportionately burdened with pollution associated with natural gas generation. The new law requires utilities to seek and favor sites for fossil fuel power plants that are not within communities already suffering from high levels of pollution. Instead, they will be prompted to deploy clean energy solutions like solar in these areas.

“California leaders put communities first by taking a step to protect the people most impacted by further fossil fuel development in their backyards. This new law will help cut pollution where it matters most and bring the state closer to providing a clean energy future for all.”

• Lauren Navarro, Attorney & California Senior Manager, Clean Energy, Environmental Defense Fund

“AB 1937 is an important step towards bringing justice to communities who have long suffered the disproportionate burdens of living next to polluting power plants. AB 1937 will continue to make California a leader on climate and renewable energy by helping to meet our state goals to transition off of fossil fuels and bring more local renewable energy in communities that need it the most.”

• Strela Cervas, Co-Director, California Environmental Justice Alliance

NEWS RELEASE

“America’s Clean Power Plan is grounded in law and science, and will help safeguard our communities from the extreme weather that has exacted a grim toll in lives lost and forever disrupted. Today we join with millions of Americans and a coalition unprecedented in its diversity and breadth — including numerous states and cities, former Republican heads of EPA, leading businesses such as Google and Apple, numerous power companies, the America Lung Association and many more — defending the Clean Power Plan in the race against time to address the climate crisis.”

            - Vickie Patton, general counsel for Environmental Defense Fund (which is a party to the case)

Read more about the Clean Power Plan in our most recent Climate 411 blog posts:

• The Legal Case for the Clean Power Plan — in a Nutshell
• It’s Time for the Coal Industry to Come Clean
• New Analysis: Clean Power Plan Compliance Within Reach for Litigating Companies
• The Clean Power Plan: A Public Health Imperative
• The Clean Power Plan: Driving Down Electricity Bills for Families

(Washington, D.C. – September 22, 2016) America’s Clean Car Standards are continuing to reduce air pollution, limit our dependence on imported oil, and save families money at the gas pump – even as a Congressional hearing puts them back in the spotlight.

Today, two House subcommittees are holding a joint hearing on the economic impacts of the Clean Car Standards, which are projected to raise average fuel economy for American cars to as much as 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) are currently conducting a technical assessment of these historic standards to inform both EPA’s mid-term review of the program and NHTSA’s upcoming rulemaking to finalize requirements for model years 2022 to 2025. 

“America’s Clean Car Standards are already driving us toward a stronger economy and helping us put the brakes on dangerous climate pollution,” said Vickie Patton, general counsel for Environmental Defense Fund. “We must keep the standards strong, and all Americans must keep working together to protect our environment and our economy.”

In 2012, EPA and NHTSA jointly established national greenhouse gas reduction and fuel efficiency standards for new cars and passenger trucks for model years 2017 to 2025. The overall U.S. Clean Cars program is expected to double the average fuel economy of the nation’s fleet of cars and light trucks. The current standards build from the first phase of standards adopted earlier for model years 2012 to 2016. The historic program won broad support from automakers, the United Auto Workers union, small businesses, consumers, national security groups, economists, and health and environmental groups including EDF. 

As part of the midterm review process, EPA and NHTSA are now considering feedback from industry and the public on their jointly developed Draft Technical Assessment Report, and will then decide whether to adjust target goals for model year 2022 to 2025 vehicles. The Draft Technical Assessment Report reassesses the availability of technologies needed for compliance with the standards, as well as costs and benefits to consumers and to the auto industry. The agencies found that the industry is already over-complying with the current standards, and that our nation is well on its way to achieving the later year standards through advances in technology at low cost.

Today’s cars and passenger trucks account for about 40 percent of all U.S. oil consumption and almost 20 percent of all U.S. climate pollution. According to EPA, if we protect the current strong standards, the nation’s overall Clean Car program will deliver the following benefits:

• Consumers will save $1.7 trillion at the pump over the life of the program
• We’ll reduce our oil use by 12 billion barrels over the life of the program
• By 2025 we’ll see oil savings of two million barrels per day
• We’ll eliminate six billion metric tons of climate pollution
• We’ll almost double our fuel economy performance by 2025

The Draft Technical Assessment Report, released jointly by EPA and DOT in July, found that auto manufacturers are adopting fuel economy technologies at unprecedented rates, and have developed technologies to improve fuel economy and reduce pollution that are far more innovative than was anticipated just a few years ago.

The Draft Technical Assessment Report also found:

• The Clean Car Standards can be met largely with more efficient conventional gasoline powered cars.
• Manufacturers can meet the standards at similar or even lower costs than what was anticipated in the 2012 rulemaking — with substantial fuel savings payback to consumers.
• Owners of every type of new vehicle – from compact cars, to SUVs, to larger trucks suitable for towing and carrying heavy loads — will enjoy gasoline savings and improved fuel economy with a reduced environmental footprint.

This progress can  already been seen on car lots. The Ford-150, the most popular passenger truck in the U.S., has models that already meet standards for 2021, as do the Toyota Rav4, Chevy Malibu hybrid and Chevy Cruze. The 2014 Toyota Highlander meets standards for 2020. The Honda Civic and the Scion iA already meet 2023 standards. And the Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius, Chevrolet Spark and Smart ForTwo meet standards for 2025.

The Consumers Union found that fuel savings under the Clean Car Standards are so significant that – even with low gas prices – owners will start to see net cost savings within the first month after buying a new car or truck. Families can expect to save as much as $4,800 in fuel costs over the life of a new car or truck if gas prices stay low – and as much as $8,200 if prices rise to more typical levels. 

A new Ceres report found that, under the current Clean Car Standards, the three major Detroit automakers will be profitable even if gas prices fall as low as $1.80 per gallon. The report also found that automakers could pay a big price if the standards are weakened and then gas prices rise – Detroit could lose more than 300,000 vehicle sales and more than $1 billion in profits.

The significant fuel cost savings has brought broad support for the strong standards from consumers and businesses alike. Major businesses, representing more than $400 billion in annual revenue, sent a letter to the EPA and DOT today voicing strong support for retaining or strengthening the 2025 fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards. Strong majorities of Americans believe increasing fuel efficiency is important (84 percent) and that the government should continue to set standards for higher fuel economy in cars and trucks (70 percent). More than half of all Americans (53 percent) expect to have higher fuel economy with their next vehicle purchase, across nearly every type of vehicle.

You can find more about the Clean Car standards on EDF’s website

(HARRISBURG) Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf nominated Patrick McDonnell to serve as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

“Patrick McDonnell has demonstrated strong leadership and pragmatism since serving as the acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. McDonnell’s deep experience and policy expertise makes him well suited to help address  one of the most difficult environmental challenges facing Pennsylvania today: climate change. We look forward to working with Secretary McDonnell to continue to help Pennsylvania make headway in addressing this challenge, by  effectively implementing the Clean Power Plan in a timely manner and tackling  methane pollution from the oil and gas industry with sensible protections.”

-         Andrew Williams, Senior State Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Manager, Environmental Defense Fund