Oregon Senators oppose vehicle emissions rollback: join Senate coalition; warn of health and economic risks

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley from Oregon have joined other Senate Democrats and independents to oppose the Trump administration’s plan to weaken federal rules on vehicle emissions. They say this rollback will cause more pollution, harm people’s health, increase costs for drivers, hurt American jobs, and raise dependence on foreign oil. The senators want the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to keep the current emissions rules and reverse the decision.

The EPA, under the Trump administration, plans to remove federal limits on greenhouse gases from cars and trucks. Senators Wyden and Merkley, along with other lawmakers, criticize this plan. They say it ignores clear scientific evidence that vehicle emissions cause climate change and harm public health.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the senators warned that removing these rules will increase air pollution and damage the environment. They also said it will hurt public health, cost drivers more money, reduce jobs in the US, and make the country more dependent on foreign oil.

The letter was written by Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts and signed by many Democrats and independents. Some of the signers are Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack Reed, Kirsten Gillibrand, Alex Padilla, Chris Van Hollen, Mazie K. Hirono, Bernie Sanders, and Cory Booker. They called the rollback based on "faulty science" and an illegal attack on clean air laws passed by Congress. They asked the administration to keep the current vehicle emissions standards.

Senators Wyden and Merkley have often supported strong rules to lower greenhouse gases. Earlier this year, they criticized the administration for weakening science on greenhouse gas dangers. They also helped fund research to reduce emissions in transportation, including projects at Portland State University.

Vehicle emissions rules help reduce air pollution and fight climate change. Cars and trucks produce a lot of greenhouse gases that cause global warming and health problems like asthma. Strong rules protect people’s health, create green jobs, and encourage new clean energy technologies.

Q: What are Senators Wyden and Merkley opposing?
They oppose the Trump administration’s plan to weaken federal vehicle emissions standards.

Q: Why do they say the rollback is harmful?
They say it will cause more pollution, hurt health, raise costs for drivers, damage jobs, and increase dependence on foreign oil.

Q: Who else supports this effort?
Other supporters include Senators Edward J. Markey, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack Reed, Kirsten Gillibrand, Alex Padilla, Chris Van Hollen, Mazie K. Hirono, Bernie Sanders, and Cory Booker.