Obama shows early leadership on climate

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Nick Berning, 202-222-0748

Obama directs EPA to act on states’ request to move forward with clean car standards

WASHINGTON, D.C.President Barack Obama today directed his administration to take action on a waiver that will allow California and 13 other states to limit global warming pollution from cars and trucks. Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder had the following response:

Transportation causes a third of Americas greenhouse gas emissions, which is why President Obamas action today is so important. President Obamas action marks a clear change of course from Bush administration policies that kept cleaner cars and trucks off the road. We commend the President for this early leadership on the climate front, and look forward to working with him to implement the many other steps that are necessary to strengthen our economy and dramatically reduce our countrys greenhouse gas emissions.

Friends of the Earth has for years been a leader in the fight to put cleaner cars on the road. Friends of the Earth board member Russell Long conceived of Californias clean cars bill and was a major force in passing the bill, which was authored by then-State Senator Fran Pavley. Friends of the Earth has also won victories in court that have paved the way for these standards to be put in place.

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Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org) is the U.S. voice of the worlds largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 77 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has fought to create a more healthy, just world.