BALTIMORE, MD-Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh on Wednesday released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) action to revoke California’s ability to establish greenhouse gas vehicle emissions standards and to declare that California’s zero-emission vehicle standards are preempted by federal law.

“Once again, the Trump Administration has come down on the side of polluters instead of the American people,” said Attorney General Frosh. “California has led the nation in advancing clean air strategies and in addressing our climate crisis. Maryland has adopted California’s vehicle emission standards, and our air and water are cleaner for it. This latest action puts oil company profits first and puts the health of our people and our environment last. We will fight this destructive policy.”

The EPA and the NHTSA are revoking California’s authority to establish greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles, and declaring California’s zero-emission vehicle requirements preempted. Under the federal Clean Air Act,

California may set its own vehicle emissions standards that are at least as protective as the federal government’s standards. Other states may also choose to adopt these standards. As part of the process, California is required to obtain a waiver from the EPA.