NESCAUM Statement on EPA’s Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles

(March 20, 2024, Boston, MA)   Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final rule to strengthen federal tailpipe emissions standards for new light- and medium-duty cars, trucks, and vans. Beginning with the 2027 model year, EPA’s new multi-pollutant rule will provide much-needed reductions of smog-forming pollutants and air toxics that are harmful to public health and greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to the climate crisis.

NESCAUM welcomes today’s action and supports continued federal action to adopt emission standards that phase out tailpipe emissions. This transition is vital to stabilizing our climate and providing improved public health outcomes across the nation, especially for people living or working near transportation corridors who are exposed to higher levels of motor vehicle pollution.

In addition, NESCAUM remains committed to supporting states that choose to opt-in to California’s clean vehicle standards in lieu of federal standards. California’s standards continue to provide greater air pollution and greenhouse gas reductions than the federal standards, and they are important tools states can use to accelerate achieving their air quality and climate commitments that minimize burdens on local businesses and communities.

Paul Miller, NESCAUM Executive Director, said, "EPA’s action today builds on the success of state programs and is an important step forward in cleaning up the country’s transportation sector."

By serving as a proving ground for advanced technologies and enabling economies of scale, state programs, like California’s clean car standards and adoption of those standards by other states under their own authority in the Clean Air Act, paved the way for EPA’s new emissions standards. While EPA’s new standards are not as protective of public health and the climate as California’s clean car standards, today’s action will curb pollution from vehicles at the national level, save consumers money, and help to ensure the American automotive industry remains competitive in the global marketplace.

NESCAUM previously submitted written comments and provided testimony on EPA’s proposed rule.

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NESCAUM is the non-profit association of state air quality agencies in the six New England states, New Jersey, and New York. NESCAUM serves as a technical and policy advisor to its members and works with broader groups of states to develop policy approaches to achieve their shared air quality and climate goals. For more than three decades, NESCAUM has collaborated closely with states, federal agencies, industry, and stakeholders to reduce transportation emissions. NESCAUM also facilitates the Multi-State ZEV Task Force, which includes representatives from 17 states, D.C., and Quebec working together to accelerate adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

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