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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2009

                  Obama EPA Paves the Way for Clean Cars
             Long-Sought Decision on Waiver Allows California,
           Other States to Slash Oil Dependence, Tackle Warming

Washington, D.C.--The Environmental Protection Agency today reversed one of
the most controversial decisions of the previous administration and granted
California the Clean Air Act "waiver" that it and more than a dozen other
states need to move forward with their landmark global warming emissions
standards for vehicles. Today's announcement will be followed by a
rulemaking process for the Obama administration's comprehensive national
plan for clean cars.

Granting the waiver will allow California and the other states to move
forward with standards for the model years 2009-2016. President Obama
recently announced a national standard mirroring California's effort to cut
global warming emissions from tailpipes 30 percent by 2016. That standard
will be in effect for the model years 2012-2016, during which time
California and the other states shall defer to the national standard.

The Sierra Club plans to present Administrator Jackson with a signed thank
you card from citizens across the country who submitted their photos as
part of testimony urging EPA to approve the waiver. That image can be seen
here:
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=94781.0

          Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director

"President Obama and Administrator Jackson see the Big Picture when it
comes to getting America running on clean energy. California's landmark
effort to slash the global warming pollution coming from our cars, trucks,
and SUVs is the cornerstone of the administration's ambitious, yet
achievable national plan for clean cars. Today's decision will ensure that
clean and fuel efficient autos of tomorrow are made right here in America,
slash our dependence on oil, and tackle global warming. That is why this
plan, a testament to the president's leadership, is supported by the auto
industry, scientists, and environmentalists alike.

"Allowing California and the other states to move forward is a decision
that is consistent with the law, consistent with science, and consistent
with strong economic growth. It further underscores the commitment of this
administration and this EPA administrator to put science and the rule of
law first--even when it comes to politically sensitive decisions.

"California has once again shown itself to be a laboratory for national
environmental and energy policy, as President Obama himself has often
remarked. It has blazed a trail in the policy arena, while also growing
its economy over the last several decades--even as it has implemented the
nation's most protective environmental standards.

"We take today's announcement as yet another sign that the Obama
administration is moving aggressively to seize the reins and lead again
when it comes to the clean energy policies that will create millions of new
jobs, rebuild the manufacturing sector and American middle class, and
tackle our dangerous dependence on oil. We hope that our leaders in
Washington will continue to follow California's lead as they craft a
comprehensive clean energy and climate plan.

"Millions of Americans are clamoring for clean energy and clean cars. On
their behalf, we thank the Obama administration for this important
decision."
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
----
The EPA's press release and decisional documents can be found here:
http://bit.ly/XadCb