January 9, 2013 

President Barack H. Obama 

The White House 

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 

Washington, D.C. 20500 

Dear Mr. President: 

As a diverse group of industry, environmental, labor, and science-based organizations representing 

millions of Americans, we are writing to urge you to finalize the Tier 3 vehicle emission and gasoline

standards no later than December 31, 2013. Cleaner gasoline and vehicles provided by Tier 3 will help

deliver cleaner air to all Americans and help states meet their Clean Air Act implementation 

requirements. 

Completing this rule will build on the strong foundation of clean car standards that nearly double fuel 

efficiency and cut dangerous tailpipe pollution in half by 2025, which you achieved in your first term. 

Tailpipe and fuel standards to control smog-forming and particulate emissions from passenger vehicles 

are key to reducing the health impacts of poor air quality including asthma, respiratory problems, and

premature death. Passenger vehicles remain the second largest emitters of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – the primary pollutants that form smog – in the U.S. These 

vehicles also emit more than half of all carbon monoxide pollution and contribute to particulate matter 

emissions. According to a National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA) study, the anticipated 

Tier 3 program has the potential to cut gasoline vehicle emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, 

and volatile organic compounds by 29, 38 and 26 percent respectively. A study by Navigant Economics 

stated that these pollution reductions will have health benefits with an estimated value of $5-$6 billion 

annually by 2020 and $10-$11 billion annually by 2030. 

More than 1 in 3 Americans still live in areas where air pollutant levels exceed at least one of the healthbased National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Tier 3 will help states reach their NAAQS 

attainment goals as required under the Clean Air Act because reducing sulfur in gasoline will result in 

significant, immediate reductions of smog-forming pollutants from the existing fleet of vehicles. As the 

Tier 2 program demonstrated, the greatest benefits are achieved when the standards for the vehicle and

fuel are developed as a system. 

Tier 3 will promote innovation in the automotive sector and create jobs in the refining industry. 

Navigant’s study estimated that implementation of the Tier 3 standard will create more than 5,300 

permanent jobs in the operation and maintenance of new refining equipment, as well as over 24,000 new 

jobs over a three year period for equipment installation at the nation’s refineries. 

The benefits of Tier 3 are significant, and we therefore urge you to work to finalize this standard as soon 

as possible and before December 31, 2013. 

Sincerely, 

Ceres 

Clean Air Watch 

Conservation Law Foundation 

Corning Incorporated 
Letter to President Obama 

January 9, 2013 

Page Two 

Donaldson Company, Inc. 

Emissions Control Technology Association 

ENE (Environment Northeast) 

Energy Independence Now 

Environment America 

Environmental Defense Fund 

Environmental Entrepreneurs 

Hug Filtersystems 

International Union, United Automobile, 

Aerospace and Agricultural Implement 

Workers of America, UAW 

Manufacturers of Emission Controls 

 Association (MECA) 

Moms Clean Air Force 

Natural Resources Defense Council 

NGK Automotive Ceramics USA, Inc 

Safe Climate Campaign 

Sierra Club 

Tenneco, Inc. 

Union of Concerned Scientists