Congresswoman Lee Applauds President Obama's Stance On Energy Independence, Climate Change

Press Release

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement applauding President Barack Obama's memorandum requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to re-examine its decision denying California's request for a state waiver under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles:

"For eight years the Bush Administration stood in the way of progress on energy independence. Today, President Obama made a bold move in our fight to end our dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ordering the review of the Bush Administration's decision to unjustifiably block California's efforts to combat global warming and promote the use of cleaner, more efficient vehicles on their roads.

"As a longtime supporter of California's bold agenda to reduce greenhouse gas emissions I am pleased by today's announcement, which sends a clear signal from the Obama Administration regarding their commitment to work in concert with pioneering efforts at the municipal and state level in the fight against climate change.

"We have long recognized the real danger that global warming poses to all of us. Today's move by the Obama Administration demonstrated that we will no longer put corporate interests before the health and well-being of the people of this country. I am hopeful that an accurate review of this decision by the EPA will provide a growing number of states the much-needed authority to implement stricter emissions standards that are needed to set our country on the path to a greener and more energy secure future."

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) sits on the House Appropriations Committee, where she serves on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee, the State Foreign Operations Subcommittee and the Financial Services Subcommittee.

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