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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation are holding a public hearing Friday in New York City on new proposed vehicle standards to reduce global warming pollution and improve fuel economy. The event is the second of three hearings around the country on the proposal. Environment New Jersey Field Director Doug O'Malley testified at the hearing.
Below are excerpts from his testimony:
"The Obama administration deserves great credit for taking this historic step to cut global warming pollution, make America more energy independent, and have American become a leader, not a laggard, in clean vehicle technology.
"America spends nearly $1 billion each day importing oil. Those funds are a direct transfer of wealth from America's pocketbooks to oil companies and foreign governments. In addition, the production and use of oil also causes untold damages to our environment, health, and security.
"As a first step to regain control of our energy future and fight global warming, these proposed vehicle standards are a good beginning.
"Automakers can meet these proposed standards by utilizing technologies that are already available today. Requiring the more widespread adoption of clean technologies will help spark the technology innovation necessary for automakers to successfully compete in the global economy and thereby contribute to a strong local economy.
"The proposal also is proof that the Clean Air Act is effective in addressing global warming pollution from vehicles.
"But we remain concerned about some details. In his Rose Garden speech announcing these new standards in May, President Obama said the program will cut global warming pollution by 950 million metric tons and save 1.8 billion barrels of over the lifetime of vehicles sold from 2012 through 2016. To deliver on this promise, the administration must strengthen the final rule, including by adding a backstop to ensure that the President's goals are met."
Environment New Jersey is one of the state's largest citizen-funded environmental advocacy groups working for clean air, clean water, and open space.
— ANDY LAGOMARSINO, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
