Gov. Gregoire�s statement on President Obama�s expansion of federal auto emission standards

For Immediate Release: May 21, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the Obama administration�s announcement to expand auto emission standards for cars and trucks, and develop new standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks:

�I applaud President Obama for taking this bold step to expand auto emission standards. We only have to look to the Gulf Coast to realize the dire need to manufacture more fuel-efficient vehicles and lessen our dependency on oil, while at the same time reducing green house gas emissions. Under these new guidelines, auto makers have a responsible, yet reasonable bench mark to obtain. I�m pleased that Washington, California and other states have continued to press for such standards, and I thank President Obama for his leadership on this issue.

�The President�s announcement falls on the same day I hosted members of the Western Climate Initiative in Seattle. Working together, our seven states and four Canadian provinces are ensuring we capitalize on our strengths, and reap the rewards and job-creating opportunities of a clean energy economy. And we�ve joined with 17 other states that make up the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Midwestern GHG Reduction Accord to develop a thoughtful report that recognizes the potential value of carbon offsets, and demonstrates to the federal government how we can work together reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while building our economic future.

�I�m proud that states continue to lead the nation in addressing climate change, and have pushed forward to demonstrate new technologies that provide the power we need to run our homes, vehicles and businesses while ensuring the protection of our natural resources. I�m proud that we continue to inform the national discussion and guide Congress as it uses our examples to develop a successful comprehensive climate package. And while we wait for federal legislation, I�m proud we have a President who shares our concerns and is taking action like that today to move the entire nation toward a clean energy economy.�

To view the three-region initiative report, visit:
http://westernclimateinitiative.org/news-and-updates/110-three-regions-release-joint-offset-quality-white-paper