Carbon pollution

The transportation sector is the leading source of carbon pollution in the U.S., and we’re already seeing the impacts of that here in Virginia, where climate change is very much upon us. On a regular basis we deal with the effects of sea level rise, extreme temperatures, worsening storms, and more as a result of climate change.

Fortunately, President Joe Biden is already driving forward with solutions to tackle vehicle pollution at its source, with the Environmental Protection Agency’s reconsideration and strengthening of the previous administration’s attack on former President Barack Obama/former Vice President Joe Biden-era fuel economy and vehicle pollution standards. After dangerous and unpopular weakening of these clean car standards by the past administration, we need the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to implement the strongest possible vehicle pollution limits and fuel economy standards in order for Virginia to protect its air and water, improve its economy, address the climate crisis and create a livable future for current and future generations.

Biden and his administration deserve praise for following through on his promises to address climate action and environmental justice, but we need the boldest possible clean car standards to truly make good on those commitments. The window for meaningful action on climate change is rapidly closing, and we must do all we can to limit its most catastrophic impacts while also creating economic opportunities for all through innovation and transformation of the transportation sector.

To do less is to relegate our children’s future world: bigger storms, wildfires and droughts.

— Stephen Hackney, Virginia Beach