In response to a statement January 26 by President Barack Obama that he would ask the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review state efforts to regulate vehicle emissions, National Association of Manufacturers vice president for energy and resources policy Keith McCoy issued the following statement:
“The NAM understands the fundamental importance of protecting the environment," stated McCoy. "Our member companies are committed to greater environmental sustainability, including energy efficiency and conservation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with global climate change. We know we cannot solve the climate change issue alone. The U.S. Congress must engage in a thorough and transparent process for establishing federal climate change policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining a competitive level playing field for U.S. companies in the global marketplace. Auto makers acted in good faith working with Congress and the previous administration to develop the tough new national fuel economy law for the next 12 years and beyond. As directed by the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is currently in the process of setting fuel economy standards that will result in a minimum of a 40 percent increase in fuel economy and a minimum 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020. A separate waiver for California would lead to a patchwork of greenhouse gas reduction laws when climate change is a global issue and should be addressed on a national level.”
The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation’s largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NAM has 11 additional offices across the country. Visit www.nam.org for more information about manufacturing and the economy.