Statement by Governor Ted Kulongoski on Federal Waiver for Clean Tailpipe Standard

Statement

Statement by Governor Ted Kulongoski on Federal Waiver for Clean Tailpipe Standard

New waiver clears the way for Oregon and other states to implement tailpipe emission standards

"Today, the Environmental Protection Agency issued California a waiver to implement its clean tailpipe standard - a victory for California, Oregon and the other states that have also adopted stronger tailpipe emissions standards.

"I applaud President Obama and Secretary Jackson for their leadership in realigning the federal government's priorities around combating global warming and doing so in a spirit of cooperation with the states rather than conflict. I also applaud California for paving the way for states to adopt the clean tailpipe standards.

"This waiver ends the years of states fighting with the former administration and the automobile industry and will result in major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions up and down the West Coast and across the United States. It also will increase the options consumers have to purchase cleaner and improved mileage vehicles. This is a win for the environment as well as for Oregon consumers.

"Oregon's clean tailpipe standard, along with the legislature's authorization this session for Oregon to adopt a low carbon fuel standard and Oregon's early investments in electric vehicle infrastructure all put Oregon among the nation's leaders in developing a low carbon transportation future and transitioning to energy independence."

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