FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, 415-554-6131

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MAYOR LONDON BREED AND CLIMATE MAYORS REPRESENTING 407 CITIES DENOUNCE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSED ROLLBACK OF FEDERAL FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS AND ATTACK ON CALIFORNIA WAIVER
Proposal would undermine California’s efforts to combat climate change

San Francisco, CA — Today, Mayor London N. Breed and Climate Mayors from across America condemned the Trump Administration's new proposal to weaken vehicle efficiency standards and rescind California's waiver right to set strong greenhouse gas regulations. The proposal would hinder U.S. efforts to curb auto emissions and the resulting air pollution.

Climate Mayors, the national coalition of 407 U.S. Mayors dedicated to pursuing solutions to global warming, denounced this unprecedented attack on both the environment and states' rights, and vowed to continue moving forward on transportation policies that help reduce the impact of climate pollution.

“California’s common sense vehicle emissions requirements are designed to improve air quality in our communities and reduce pollution disrupting our planet,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed.  “I hope the EPA learns from the world’s leading cities, states, and businesses gathering in San Francisco for the September 2018 Global Climate Action Summit as we demonstrate how accelerating emission reductions can lead to healthier communities and a stronger economy.”

On September 12-14, 2018, California Governor Jerry Brown will host leaders and people from around the world in San Francisco for the Global Climate Action Summit. The Summit will celebrate the achievements of cities, states, companies, investors, and citizens with respect to climate action, including advancing the decarbonization of our transportation sector. It will also serve as an opportunity for deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from countries that can put the world on track to realize the historic Paris Agreement and reduce global emissions by 2020.

In April of this year, Climate Mayors issued a statement as a response to the EPA’s announcement that it would be reevaluating the federal vehicle emissions standards currently in place. Climate Mayors unequivocally condemned the attack and plan to submit public comment on today’s proposal.

"We cannot sacrifice the future of our planet on the altar of short-sighted and dangerous policies that serve narrow interests,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Extremely narrow interests: Automakers, consumers, and environmentalists agree that this rollback on progress helps no one and never should have seen the light of day. Their proposal directly threatens to stall the progress we have made in Los Angeles to take toxic fumes out of our air. This Administration wants us to pay more at the pump while ignoring the constant dangers that climate change poses to our country, to our children, and to generations ahead — another example of the disconnect between the thinking in Washington and the everyday needs of American families."

“Boston is committed to addressing climate change head-on, and today we reaffirm our promise to become carbon neutral by 2050,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Fighting climate change means fighting for all those affected by worsening air quality, extreme heat, eroding coastlines — issues that will continue to impact residents for generations to come. Removing environmental protections like the CAFE standards is not the answer. As Mayor, I will continue to work with cities across the country and around the world to uphold the tenets of the Paris Agreement and protect Boston against the very real impacts of climate change."

"The rollback by EPA of clean car standards represents the latest giveback to the interests of Big Oil at the expense of clean air and a healthy planet,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I am standing alongside other Climate Mayors as we take action to clean our own fleets and pursue climate action to the benefit of all our residents."

“I was proud to help strengthen federal emissions standards when I served in the Obama administration and am proud to stand with my colleagues in cities across America today to keep up the fight for clean air and a more sustainable future,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “While the Trump EPA is asleep at the wheel, Chicago will continue to increase the size of our electric vehicle fleet and modernize mass transit because it’s the right thing to do for our city and the responsible thing to do for future generations."

“Seattle will continue embracing the future of transportation and clean energy innovation. Now is the time to double down—not pull back—on policies like fuel economy standards that save money, protect our children’s health, preserve our environment, and create economic opportunity today and long into the future,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “Cities are dealing with the negative impacts of climate change today, and we don’t have the luxury of denying climate science. Seattle is committed to protecting our community and standing against the Trump administration’s dangerous, irresponsible agenda.”

“Fuel economy standards make our air cleaner, make our dollars go farther, and make sense for Houstonians,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Transportation is responsible for 48% of Houston’s greenhouse gas emissions – the highest per capita of all US cities – and something we must address to move our city forward. Thankfully, technology is on our side and Climate Mayors across the country are committed to finding innovative solutions to climate challenges.”

“Baltimore strongly supports requirements for cleaner vehicles to combat the effects of climate change and to reduce the health burdens faced by neighborhoods near busy roadways,” said Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh.

Transportation is the largest and fastest-growing source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. To address this challenge, the Obama Administration finalized new fuel economy standards in 2012 with the support of auto companies. Following the Trump Administration’s initial efforts to weaken the national standards, seventeen states and the District of Columbia — representing over 40 percent of the U.S. car market — filed a lawsuit challenging the potential rollbacks.    

To demonstrate demand for low-emission vehicles, San Francisco and 30 other U.S. cities announced last year a collective interest in acquiring 114,000 electric vehicles, trucks, and equipment for their municipal fleets. Climate Mayors are committed to leading the fight against climate change and will continue to hasten the transition to more efficient and zero emissions vehicles.

Climate Mayors, founded in 2014, is a bipartisan, peer-to-peer network of U.S. Mayors representing 70 million Americans from 47 states committed to adopting, honoring, and upholding the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Climate Mayors are working together to demonstrate leadership on climate change through meaningful actions in their communities, and to express and build political will for effective federal and global policy.

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