U.S. EPA Finds that Combined Emissions from Vehicles Contribute to GHG Pollution

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Lisa Jackson, has signed a Cause or Contribute Finding that confirms that the combined emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from new motor vehicles and new motor vehicle engines contribute to GHG pollution. The Administrator has also signed an Endangerment Finding, which determines that the current and projected concentrations of six GHGs, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride, are a threat to the public health and welfare of current and future generations. The findings are based on the thorough examination of scientific evidence as well as a review of comments received during a 60-day public comment period. The findings on their own do not impose any emission reduction requirements, but rather, allow EPA to finalize the GHG standards for new light-duty vehicles, which were jointly proposed by EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration earlier this year. For more information, refer to EPA’s Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings website.