New poll: Overwhelming support for fuel efficiency standards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent poll conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research in Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia found overwhelming support for clean cars standards. While the Trump administration has opened the federal fuel efficiency standards for review, a wide majority of those states’ residents support requiring the auto industry to continue meeting increased fuel efficiency standards that save drivers money at the pump.

“Our poll found broad public support for increased fuel efficiency standards, and support cuts across traditional partisan and demographic lines,” said Elizabeth Sena, partner, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. “Even when given the potential costs of the program, these state’s residents clearly support higher fuel efficiency standards.” 

According to the newly-released poll:

• A wide majority of Coloradans (78 percent), Michiganders (73 percent), Ohioans (72 percent), Pennsylvanians (74 percent) and Virginians (68 percent) support requiring the auto industry to continue meeting increased fuel efficiency standards for new cars, minivans, SUVs and pickup trucks.
• Most residents in Colorado (60 percent), Michigan (54 percent), Ohio (53 percent) and Pennsylvania (57 percent) strongly favor the fuel efficiency standards with Virginia at 48 percent.
• Only a small minority of Coloradoans (14 percent), Michiganders (22 percent), Ohioans (21 percent), Pennsylvanians (20 percent) and Virginians (21 percent) are opposed to the standards.

 The survey, which measured public support for fuel efficiency standards in five states, was commissioned by the Sierra Club, NextGen America, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

In August, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt re-opened the clean cars standards for review, which could serve as the first step toward dismantling or rolling back the standards.

"Residents across these states want cleaner, more efficient cars, not more air pollution and increased costs at the pump," said Andrew Linhardt, deputy legislative director for transportation at the Sierra Club. "These rules are driving technological innovation, cutting dangerous pollution, saving families money, and reducing America’s reliance on oil."

“With the transportation sector being one of the largest sources of carbon pollution, we need these standards more than ever to safeguard our health and protect the environment,” said Luke Tonachel, director of the Clean Vehicles and Fuels Project for Natural Resources Defense Council. “States clearly want cleaner, more efficient cars. The Trump administration should listen to them and maintain these crucial clean air protections.”

 “Fuel efficiency standards are driving innovation in the auto sector while helping reduce pollution and fight back against dangerous climate change,” said Udai Rohatgi, vice president of NextGen Policy Center. “Dismantling these important standards would be a major step backward for Americans families who are saving money at the gas pump – and a serious blow to efforts to combat climate change throughout the nation.”

According to a recent fact sheet by the Union of Concerned Scientists, current federal fuel efficiency standards will reduce oil consumption by nearly 1.5 million barrels per day and 23 billion gallons of gasoline annually by 2030. The fuel efficiency standards are also projected to reduce carbon pollution by 280 million metric tons in 2030.

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