California Attorney General Rob Bonta testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oppose the agency’s proposal to rescind its 2009 Endangerment Finding, which concluded that greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles contribute to air pollution, climate change, and public health risks. The EPA is also considering repealing federal vehicle emission standards.
Bonta addressed the EPA during a public hearing, emphasizing California’s unique vulnerability to climate impacts. He cited rising sea levels, declining snowpack, megafloods, and severe wildfires as evidence of the state’s exposure to climate change effects. “In January 2025, California experienced two of the most destructive fires in our state’s history,” Bonta said.
He warned that as average temperatures rise, extreme heat events have increased in frequency and severity, leading to more climate-related deaths in California. According to Bonta, “Climate change poses an immediate and escalating threat to California’s environment, public health, and economic vitality.”
The Attorney General argued that rescinding the Endangerment Finding would worsen these risks by allowing higher emissions from transportation—the largest source of greenhouse gases nationwide. He also questioned the legality of EPA’s proposal: “It relies on a draft, unvetted, scientifically unsound report from the Department of Energy to attempt to override the abundant and growing science supporting its Endangerment Finding and motor vehicle GHG emissions standards for over fifteen years.”
Bonta asserted that current technologies can already reduce vehicle emissions and are available in today’s market. He urged for continued American leadership in technological innovation aimed at reducing greenhouse gases.
Financial consequences were another focus of his testimony. Bonta cited EPA data stating that recent vehicle emission standards are expected to provide nearly $100 billion annually in net benefits for society—including $13 billion in annual public health benefits due to improved air quality and $62 billion in reduced consumer costs for drivers. He argued that rolling back these rules would diminish investments in future technologies and jeopardize U.S. leadership on climate issues.
“This federal administration continues to attack climate science and environmental protection. But California will not stand down,” Bonta said. “California is committed to combating the climate crisis. We must all do our part. I ask that you withdraw this proposal and fulfill your duty to protect the American public.”
The transportation sector remains the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States (https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions), highlighting ongoing debates over regulatory policy at both state and federal levels.
