Hi friend,

I wanted to give you a quick update on House Republicans’ attempt to roll back California’s Clean Air Act waivers. Transportation is the largest source of emissions in the country and a primary source of harmful pollution, especially in historically disadvantaged communities near major highways.

The California waivers are an effective tool used by many states (not just California) to reduce transportation pollution and accelerate vehicle electrification. That’s why we must act to protect them before the House votes this week.

Nearly 4,100 Evergreen activists have already sent messages to their representatives in Congress calling on them to stop this unlawful political stunt from hurting our communities. But your voice is still missing, friend.

Will you take one minute to email your representative and tell them to uphold the rule of law by voting against this procedural overstep targeting states’ ability to limit pollution?

Thanks for being in this fight,

Jessica Hamilton
Senior Director - Digital Advocacy and Platforms
Evergreen Action


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Justin Balik, Evergreen Action
Date: Thur, Apr 10, 2024
Subject: [Action alert] Republicans are trying to increase air pollution

Hi—

Transportation is the most polluting sector in our economy. To help protect communities and advance clean air progress in this sector, states like California are leading the charge, thanks to a set of Clean Air Act “waivers” granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

These EPA waivers are critical because they allow states to set their own vehicle emission standards that are even stricter than the federal government’s—an approach that effectively drives forward vehicle electrification and reduces harmful smog from heavy-duty vehicles.

Yet despite a recent ruling confirming that these waivers can’t be undone through political stunts—namely an obscure legislative tool known as the Congressional Review Act (CRA) process—Republicans are barreling forward with multiple resolutions to kneecap California’s climate leadership and roll back life-saving clean air protections that could benefit all states.

It’s like Republicans are determined to poison our kids. And we shouldn’t stand for it.

If enough members of Congress hear from their constituents before voting on these resolutions—which could happen this week—there’s a chance we can stop this blatant attempt to bend the law. But we have to act now.

Thanks to the EPA waivers, California is already cutting pollution, driving innovation, and protecting public health.

These state standards are critical to protecting Americans from trucking emissions that are responsible for hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and childhood asthma cases, plus over a trillion dollars in economic damages. Eliminating them would mean all of us paying the price—with our health, economy, and future.

Republicans love to talk about “states rights”—that is, until states stand up to fossil fuel interests. 😒

These CRA resolutions are nothing but a bad faith attempt to protect corporate polluters by undermining climate progress. And if they go through, they’ll actively harm communities who live near big highways and other busy thoroughfares where vehicle pollution is regularly belched into the air.

We can’t allow Republicans to hijack the legislative process and make it easier for polluters to keep poisoning our communities. Send a message urging your members of Congress to uphold the law and preserve state leadership on climate by voting against these dangerous CRA resolutions.

Thanks for taking action today.

Evergreen is building the ambitious, actionable policy roadmap for an all-out mobilization to defeat climate change—and to create millions of jobs in a thriving, just, and inclusive clean energy future. None of this would be possible without your support.