FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2019

LOS ANGELES –The City of Los Angeles, under a proposal introduced today by Councilmember Paul Krekorian, and co-presented by Councilmember Nury Martinez, will halt the purchase of virtually all automobiles with internal combustion engines. The proposal allows an exception for public safety vehicles when there is no clean alternative.

In the same motion, the councilmembers call for an ordinance requiring all city departments to purchase vehicles only from car manufacturers that recognize the authority of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to set greenhouse gas and zero emission vehicle standards and meet those standards. The rule would be enforced beginning January 1, 2020.

The motion is a response to the action by the Trump Administration, which on September 18 revoked California’s waiver to set its own vehicle emissions standards. In response, California and 22 other states have sued the federal government to maintain California’s right to set its own standards, which was guaranteed under the 1970 Federal Clean Air Act.

“For decades, California has been the nation’s leader in reducing auto emissions and improving fuel efficiency,” said Krekorian. “We have changed an industry in a way that has had a dramatic positive impact on the global environment. With the stroke of a pen, President Trump has undercut decades of progress, but the City of LA will stand firm in its commitment to protecting the planet.”

Krekorian also requested that the City develop a plan to convert the City Fleet of vehicles to zero emission where technically feasible by 2028, consistent with the Mayor’s Sustainability plan.

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Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, the first Armenian-American to be elected to city office in Los Angeles, represents Council District 2, which includes the east San Fernando Valley. He is also on the Metro and Metrolink boards of directors. His website is paulkrekorian.org, where you can sign up for news updates. Visit him on Facebook (@Krekorian), Twitter (@PaulKrekorian) or Instagram (@PaulKrekorian).