Michiganders Demand Clean Car Standards be Protected and Strengthened

Detroit, MI -- Today, the Sierra Club held a People’s Hearing in Detroit, opposing Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s and NHSTA’s Acting Administrator King widely expected proposed rollback of the clean car standards. Dozens of Michiganders attended, including former EPA and auto industry employees, speaking out strongly in support of the standards.

The clean car standards, which had been agreed to by automakers, labor unions, environmental groups, EPA, Department of Transportation, and California would limit carbon pollution by 6 billion tons, save consumers $1.7 trillion dollars in fuel costs, and reduce oil consumption by up to 4 million barrels every day. A recent poll found that nearly 7 in 10 American voters want the existing standards to remain protected.

In response, Sierra Club Deputy Advocacy Director of the Clean Transportation for All Campaign Andrew Linhardt released the following statement:

"Today’s hearing once again showcased American’s loud and clear voice that they want cleaner cars, and they want them now. The widely-supported clean car standards have created thousands of American jobs, while saving working families thousands at the pump, and protecting public health.

“The American people want the clean car standards put in the fast lane, which is why Andrew Wheeler, like Scott Pruitt before him, attempt to slam the breaks on the life-saving clean car standards will be met with fierce opposition in the streets and in the courts.