EPA head visits Charlotte touts eliminating greenhouse gas emission standards

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) — The head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, visited Charlotte on Friday, defending President Donald Trump and his decision to eliminate greenhouse gas emission standards.

The Trump Administration announced on Thursday, Feb. 13, it revoked the Obama-era ‘endangerment finding,’ which concluded greenhouse gas emissions warm the earth and endanger public health.

Zeldin predicts removing greenhouse gas regulations for auto-makers will result in average cost savings for Americans of more than $2,400 per vehicle.

Emission standards for vehicle manufacturers on pollutants and air toxics like carbon monoxide, lead, and ozone, will remain in place.

“This is the way of freedom and choice,” Zeldin said Friday. “This is about the American consumer, and if you want to shop based off of what will get you the best possible gas mileage, more power to you.”

Environmental groups have slammed the decision, praising greenhouse gas regulation as a critical part of combatting global warming.

The EPA’s dramatic change on climate policy also gets ride of the credit auto-makers receive for carbon dioxide-reducing technologies, such as the start/stop feature in most vehicles, according to the EPA.

Zeldin said Friday outside a Toyota dealership in north Charlotte, that the feedback from car manufacturers has been positive.

“The great news, is that these companies are not looking to go back 20 years with the amazing technologies that they have been able to develop, the efficiencies they’ve been able to find,” Zeldin said.

Rep. Tim Moore (R-N.C.) was also in attendance Friday.

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