Jonathon Berman, (202) 495-3033, joanthon.berman@sierraclub.org
Ann Arbor, MI -- Today, at a press conference hosted by the American Federation for Government Employees, Representative Debbie Dingell called for federal funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL). Donald Trump’s proposed budget had called for funding for the NVFEL to be paid for by auto companies.
The NVFEL tests vehicles to ensure they are compliant with federal emissions and fuel economy standards. NVFEL is responsible for making American manufactured cars 99 percent cleaner than they were in 1970, exposing Volkswagen’s emissions cheating scandal, cutting greenhouse gases from cars in half by 2025, and saving consumers billions in fuel costs.
In response, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Director Gail Philbin released the following statement:
"Trump asking auto companies to fund the lab that enforces their compliance with federal fuel economy and emissions standards is akin to allowing a robber to manage a bank, or allowing Scott Pruitt to manage the EPA. The National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Lab is the world’s premier research and compliance center for pollution from transportation, and Trump’s budget proposal threatens it’s shutdown.
“The Sierra Club applauds Congresswoman Dingell for speaking out for clean air, a healthy climate, and consumer protections.”
###