Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the following statement ahead of announcements by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to roll back important clean vehicle emissions standards.

“The United States must lead with action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the harmful effects of climate change worldwide,” said Larsen. “Rolling back the popular and effective clean car standards is the wrong choice and hurts American families. Removing protections will not only harm vulnerable populations suffering from chronic conditions like asthma, but will also force families across the Pacific Northwest to spend more at the pump and contribute to the growing struggles of the agriculture community impacted by drought.”

Washington state families will be directly impacted if the EPA removes these clean vehicle protections. Leaving the standards in place creates stability for manufacturers and puts money back into the pockets of Washington families. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, these standards would result in more than 12,500 new jobs by 2030 in Washington state alone. These jobs are important for building the next generation’s global workforce.

Larsen has been a strong supporter of environmental protections and efforts to reverse the effects of climate change. His support of various protections, including the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan, has garnered high scores on the League of Conservation Voters National Environmental Scorecard. Larsen is a leader in preserving and protecting important lands and waters in Washington state, including the San Juan Islands and the Puget Sound’s estuaries, rivers and streams.

###