Delaware has joined 23 other states in calling for the Trump Administration to not weaken carbon emission standards for cars.
The group of governors include the Republican leaders of Maryland, Massachusetts and Vermont.
Some automakers say they don’t want to make two different cars and California, through its legal authority, is already enforcing zero emission vehicle standards enacted by former President Barack Obama.
Alan Muller of Green Delaware said he’s happy so many states are pushing back against the Trump administration’s plan. He adds he hopes Delaware moves to the zero emission standards.
“Where as Delaware’s obviously just a tiny piece of the action and by ourselves, you know, we can’t dictate the design of cars," he said. "But California can. So for us to be tagging along on their work is the right thing to do.”
Muller says transportation is likely the biggest source of carbon emissions and a huge source of health-damaging air pollutants.
But Carney is not committing Delaware to moving to California’s car emission standards right now. Delaware is part of the lawsuit headed by California suing the Trump administration over its roll back plan last year.
“Delaware, with only fewer than a million people, obviously is not that significant a market," he said. "So, we’ll just have to look at how the industry responds. But the response we’re looking for is for lower carbon emission vehicles.”
Carney and the other governors are calling for a single, science-based standard nationwide that provides certainty for automakers and consumers, reduces greenhouse gases and protects public health.
