Both the Sierra Club and the National Audubon Society praised President Barack Obama today for signing an executive order telling the EPA to reconsider granting California a waiver , which would allow the state to set its own auto emission standard.
In a statement the National Audubon Society said, “After only a few days in the Oval Office, President Obama has sent a clear signal that the U.S. is ready to the lead the world toward a clean energy future. The President’s decisive action puts our nation on a course that will repower America with clean sources of energy that reduce global warming, stimulate green jobs, and make us less dependent on fossil fuels. “
They called Obama a champion of conservation, “President Obama is quickly establishing himself as a champion of conservation who is mindful that to restore American prosperity, we must change the ways we produce, import and consume fuel. “
The Sierra Club said, “This action deserves the loudest applause. President Obama is making good on campaign promises and sending yet another clear signal that global warming and a clean energy economy are top priorities for his administration. By beginning this process and directing EPA to review the Bush administration’s lack of action, President Obama is turning the Federal Government into a force for positive change instead of a roadblock.”
The statement continued, “Taking action on the clean car waiver was one of the top items Sierra Club has been encouraging Obama to take on global warming as soon as possible as part of a “Clean Slate” agenda. This is one more part of President Obama’s vision for creating demand for clean technologies that in turn create new jobs in the U.S. –all while curbing global warming at the same time.”
The clean car wavier was essential for Obama to move his clean energy economy agenda forward. Why shouldn’t states be allowed to set their own auto emissions level? If they want to go beyond the federal standard, it should not be up to the federal government to tell them what to do. There are 15 other states and the District of Columbia that want to implement similar standards. As usual the states are the laboratories for innovation. Everyone will be watching to see the impact of the stricter standards. If all goes well, this will pave the way for stricter federal standards possibly through an updated and strengthened Clean Air Act.
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