NJ Sierra Club: Obama lifts Clean Car Roadblocks

For Immediate Release Contact: Jeff Tittel
January 26, 2009 (609) 558-9100

NJ Sierra Club: Obama lifts Clean Car Roadblocks

                                               Trenton - The Sierra Club supports President Obama's announcement today that he will direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review whether to grant California a waiver for its clean car law.

"This is an important step forward in implementing the New Jersey Clean Car bill which went into effect this year," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "It will help us lower our greenhouse gas emissions so we can move forward in our fight against climate change."

The Sierra Club is optimistic that after proper review the EPA will grant the waiver. Lisa Jackson, the current head of the EPA, advocated for the waiver during her tenure leading the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

"New Jersey was one of the states which had asked for the waiver," Tittel said. "So we have great confidence that the new EPA administrator will sign off on the waiver that she has supported."

Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, in Washington D.C. also applauded Obama's action.

"This action deserves the loudest applause. President Obama is making good on campaign promises and sending yet another clear signal that global warming and a clean energy economy are top priorities for his administration," said Pope. "By beginning this process and directing EPA to review the Bush administration's lack of action, President Obama is turning the Federal Government into a force for positive change instead of a roadblock."

"Taking action on the clean car waiver was one of the top items Sierra Club has been encouraging Obama to take on global warming as soon as possible as part of a "Clean Slate" agenda. This is one more part of President Obama's vision for creating demand for clean technologies that in turn create new jobs in the U.S. --all while curbing global warming at the same time," Pope said.

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Grace Sica, Outreach Coordinator NJ Sierra Club 145 W. Hanover St. Trenton, NJ 08618 p: 609-656-7612 f: 609-656-7618

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