Nissa Koerner, nissa.koerner@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King and Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler unveiled their new proposed fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks, which would roll back the clean car standards for these vehicles put in place under the Obama administration. Those clean car standards were part of a grand bargain among automakers, NHTSA, EPA, and the California Air Resources Board, with buy-in from labor unions and environmental groups. These standards 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 in place.
Wheeler and King rely on convoluted and baseless claims to justify their freezing fuel efficiency standards at 2020 levels, which would increase gas consumption by up to 500,000 barrels a day. Meanwhile, automakers have seen some of their best sales since the standards were established.
The rule also limits the ability of California to establish their own tailpipe emissions standards. Under the Clean Air Act, California has the right to set stricter standards, and other states may adopt those standards. Today, 13 states and the District of Columbia follow these standards, resulting in cleaner air for their 113 million residents.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“Rolling back the Clean Car Standards is one of the most significant attacks on clean air and climate action in history, and, Donald Trump is making it clear his mantra is pollution over everything. Trump’s administration is slamming the brakes on communities that want to breathe cleaner air while saving money at the pump -- and he’s doing it for no reason other than his desire to please his friends in corporate boardrooms across the country. The clean car standards and the right of states to protect their residents enjoy overwhelming support and are backed by numerous scientific studies. Andrew Wheeler and Heidi King’s plan is based on lies and alternative facts. Make no mistake, the Sierra Club and the American people will continue fighting to protect the clean car standards and the health of our communities.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 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.