Dear John,

Our neighbors to the south in California are blazing a trail when it comes to regulating the automobile industry––leading the way for our region and the country since the 1970s. Yet cars remain the largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in California and here in Oregon.

Right now the California Air Resources Board (or CARB) is considering the Advanced Clean Cars II Rules creating a significant opportunity to move the needle in the deepening climate crisis. Unfortunately the current version of the rules doesn’t go far enough. We need your help to ensure that the rules are as strong as possible––setting a high standard not for California but paving the way for the surrounding states as well. 

Will you take action to urge California’s air quality regulators to demand the Advanced Clean Cars II Rules be strengthened? 

California is such a large state that when they pass regulation that dramatically increases fuel standards it forces the entire car industry to shift. Oregon benefits from California’s strong clean car rules, which is why we urge you to take action today urging CARB to strengthen the Advanced Clean Cars II Rules. 

The current rules will not enable California to meet its climate goals. Under the rules as they are currently written, the state would not be able to meet its goal of phasing out the sale of new gas cars by 2035. Additionally, the rules fail to guarantee Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and low income communities will be able to afford pollution-free vehicles. 

Will you urge CARB to strengthen the Advanced Clean Car II Rules and include strong equity standards to ensure no one is left behind as we transition to clean vehicles?

We have drafted a sample letter for you to use, but feel free to customize the message––the important thing is that you urge CARB to strengthen the rules and ensure equitable access to clean cars during this crucial transition. 

Climate change is one of the most urgent issues of our time and we need bold leadership from California to help make a pollution free transportation system possible for all of us on the urgent timeline required. 

CARB has extended their public comment period to May 31st so it’s urgent that you act right away!

Thank you,

Julia DeGraw
Coalition Director, OLCV