California launching multistate coalition to advance clean cars
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced his intentions Friday to help launch a multistate, clean-car coalition after the Senate voted to upend the Golden State's stricter-than-federal emissions rules the previous day.
The Affordable Clean Cars Coalition will work on sustaining the country's transition to cleaner and more affordable cars, while also supporting U.S. automotive manufacturers and preserving the authority of states to control their air quality, according to the announcement.
The 11-state coalition will be housed under the umbrella of the U.S. Climate Alliance — a bipartisan initiative of 24 governors founded in 2017 — and consists of California, Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington.
"The federal government and Congress are putting polluters over people and creating needless chaos for consumers and the market," the governors of the 11 states said in a joint statement.
"But our commitment to safeguarding Americans’ fundamental right to clean air is resolute," they continued, adding that they would leverage their authorities to keep communities safe and create good-paying jobs.
The formation of the new coalition comes a day after the U.S. Senate passed a measure to repeal California's phaseout of new gas-powered car sales. Golden State officials responded to the decision by declaring their intentions to file a 23rd lawsuit against the Trump administration.
The 11 states participating in the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition vowed to work together on developing solutions that make vehicles cleaner, more affordable and accessible to all Americans who want to purchase them.
They said they would do so by decreasing cost barriers, increasing choices, expanding accessible charging and fueling infrastructure.
"As we consider next steps for our clean vehicle programs, our states will engage stakeholders and industry to provide the regulatory certainty needed while redoubling our efforts to build a cleaner and healthier future," the governors added.