NRCM Blog

NRCM board member Adam Lee Challenges Auto Industry

Car dealer blasts automakers at EPA hearing

David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. -- An auto dealer blasted domestic car makers today at a federal government hearing on emission standards.

The day-long meeting is underway to address California's request for a waiver under the Clean Air Act so it can adopt stringent tailpipe emission standards.

Adam Lee, president of Lee Automalls in Maine, which includes two Chrysler dealerships as well as General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota dealerships, launched into a forceful denunciation of the domestic auto industry and its opposition to safety and environmental advances over the past three decades.

Deca bill passes the House!

After lengthy deliberation in both the House Republican and Democratic caucuses, the House passed LD 1658 unanimously!  We expect the bill to come before the Senate on Tuesday, May 22nd.

As lead sponsor, House Majority Leader, Hannah Pingree (D-North Haven) championed the bill and implored House Democrats to vote to protect Maine kids from unnecessary exposure to toxic deca.  Representative Jim Annis (R-Dover-Foxcroft) also made an impassioned speech to the House Republican caucus, explaining how he had originally been opposed to the bill, but now understood that it was the right thing to do for public health and fire safety. 

Special thanks go to our partners in the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine and the Maine firefighters who have been strong allies and are working tirelessly with us to pass this bill. 

Also, big thanks go to you, and all of our members who have contacted their legislators on this very important issue.

We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re coming in strong for Tuesday.  I’ll keep you posted.  Thanks again everyone! 

Matt Prindiville, Toxics Policy Advocate