FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20th, 2021
CONTACT
Jessica Mengistab
Program Manager, Climate & Clean Energy Advocacy, ANHE
jessica@envirn.org
(732) 336-1606
EPA’s Cleaner Cars Rule is Win for Public Health & Climate
[Washington, DC] (December 20, 2021) – Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the rule to revise existing greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light-duty trucks through model year 2026, restoring a key tool to address pollution from the transportation sector, America’s leading source of carbon pollution. In response to the decision today, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments’ (ANHE) Executive Director, Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN released the following statement:
“Nurses thank the Biden Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency for moving forward swiftly with this rule today. Pollution from tailpipe emissions has significant ramifications for human health. The EPA rule finalized today to set stronger and more protective standards for light duty cars and trucks is critical to protecting our health now and for future generations.
“This rule is also a historic step forward in addressing the climate crisis. Climate change is impacting the health of communities across the country, which is why nurses have been calling for bold and urgent action that promotes a healthy climate, healthy people, and a just society. EPA estimates this rule will result in more than 3 billion tons of avoided greenhouse gas emissions and $190 bill in net climate and health benefits by 2050. This is a major win for public health and the climate.
“Now, the Biden Administration has a prime opportunity to move quickly and start the next round of clean car standards. Acting swiftly to finalize the strongest possible long-term cleaner car standards will protect our climate and public health by ensuring that the next round of clean car standards is as strong as possible.”
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The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is the only national nursing organization focused solely on the intersection of health and the environment. The mission of the Alliance is to promote healthy people and healthy environments by educating and leading the nursing profession, advancing research, incorporating evidence-based practice, and influencing policy.
