Lauren Lantry (202) 548-6599 lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized its proposed decision on fuel efficiency standards, originally set by the Obama administration in 2012. The decision keeps the fuel economy goals at their current level through year 2025. These standards will reduce climate pollution by as much as 6 billion metric tons over the lifetimes of the vehicles sold in model years 2012-2025—the equivalent to carbon pollution from 150 typical coal-fired power plants for an entire year. This decision came after a technical assessment report, a 30-day comment period, a proposed decision, and a second 30-day comment period. The Sierra Club and allies submitted more than 400,000 comments in support of the standards.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“In order to keep our air clean and our climate safe, we need to put fuel efficiency standards in the fast lane. Fortunately, together with the Clean Power Plan, the Obama administration's clean car standards are the most ambitious step the United States has ever taken to reduce carbon and other types of air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency’s technical review of the current fuel economy standards shows that the standards are not only well within reach, but are already working -- due to technological innovation initiated by the standards, the cars speeding off dealership lots at a record pace are cleaner and more efficient than ever before. A new administration is no reason to shift progress to reverse. We look forward to strengthening these standards further in the future and cleaning up our transportation sector.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.4 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.