Friend,

Last week, the EPA proposed actions that would build healthier communities, transition our country towards clean energy, and blunt the effects of climate change.

Finalizing the strongest possible actions will only be possible because environmental champions control the White House and Congress and are ensuring that the EPA fulfills its mission to protect human health and the environment.

Here are three important EPA actions this month that would move us toward a healthier, clean energy future and reduce our dependendence on polluting fossil fuels:

1. Proposed stronger emissions standards for trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles. Earlier this month, the EPA proposed new standards that would reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses and of smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) from heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines in future years.
   People of color and low-wealth communities are disproportionately exposed and affected by roadway, diesel, and smog pollution. The strongest of EPA's proposed standards would reduce the risk of detrimental respiratory, cardiovascular, and other health impacts for these communities and for the 72 million Americans estimated to live near truck freight routes. LCV will continue to push the EPA to adopt the strongest possible standards for air and climate pollution as they work to finalize the rules by the end of the year.
   
2. Reaffirming states' rights to adopt greener vehicle emissions standards. In 2019, the Trump administration revoked a decades-old waiver that allowed California to adopt stricter tailpipe emissions standards than the federal government. After concluding a review of Trump's illegal decision, the Biden-Harris EPA recently reaffirmed this right and reinstated California's waiver.
   This decision will restore states' ability to act under the Clean Air Act and reduce future emissions from cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Transportation emissions currently account for nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Combined with new, previously-announced national standards, this decision will prevent billions of tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.
3. Proposing to Reduce Power Plant and Industrial Smog Pollution. Third, the EPA proposed a new plan to require smog pollution reductions from power plants and industrial facilities across 26 states. The proposal would deliver more than $15 billion in total public health benefits each year, and prevent over 1,000 premature deaths and one million asthma attacks per year.
   LCV welcomes this action from the federal government to protect people in the dozens of states that have failed to protect their residents and in states that are downwind from harmful fossil fuel-generated smog. The huge health benefits of this rule are also a critical reminder that we must rapidly transition away from damaging, life-shortening fossil fuels to a clean renewable energy future.

As they stand now, these three EPA air pollution actions, if finalized as the strongest options proposed (and we do want them to be even stronger and faster to reduce pollution) would save over 3,000 premature deaths and 3 million asthma attacks each year. They will also provide tens of billions of dollars in public health benefits at relatively low and reasonable costs to the industries.

In addition to supporting these health-protective federal actions, LCV and our 30+ state affiliates are running a nationwide campaign, Clean Energy for All, to push state and local leaders to reject fossil fuels and commit to clean energy. To learn more and get involved in our efforts to advance clean energy and pollution-free communities across the country, click here. With your support, we'll continue doing everything possible to shift our country toward a clean energy future.

Thank you,

Matthew Davis
Senior Director, Government Affairs
League of Conservation Voters