Joint Statement from Governor O’Malley and Attorney General Gansler on the EPA’s Decision to Block States’ Ability to Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 20, 2007) – Governor Martin O’Malley and Attorney General Doug Gansler today released the following statement in response to the Bush Administration’s announcement that it will block efforts by Maryland, California and 15 other states to cut emissions of greenhouse gases from cars and trucks:

“By bowing down to corporate interests, the Bush Administration is thwarting the will of the citizens of more than a dozen states and the Supreme Court of the United States.”

“Where the Bush Administration has failed, Maryland, California and other states have taken the lead to protect our environment from harmful greenhouse gas emissions and begin addressing the effects of global climate change.”

“While new federal standards on auto emissions are a positive step, the Bush Administration should not prevent states from making even more progress where the federal government has failed to act for so long.”

“Maryland has the ability and the technology to reduce these harmful greenhouse gases and we will take advantage of every legal option available to us, including partnering with other states, to ensure that the Clean Cars legislation is enacted in the State of Maryland.”