Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals threw out Donald Trump’s attempts to let automakers off the hook for failing to meet fuel economy standards. The Sierra Club, along with a coalition of environmental groups and states, had sued the Trump administration for issuing a rule indefinitely delaying an increase in penalties for violations.
In a bipartisan effort in 2015, Congress passed a law requiring all agencies to adjust civil penalties for inflation. As a result, the Obama administration adjusted the charge for those violating the Clean Car Standards from $5.50 to $14 per tenth of a mile per gallon. In response to requests from the Auto Alliance, the Obama administration delayed the implementation of the increase in fines to model year 2019 vehicles and after. However, shortly after taking office, the Trump administration, with encouragement from the Auto Alliance, sought to weaken the civil penalties.
In response, Sierra Club Senior Attorney Alejandra Nunez release the following statement:
“Once again, the Trump administration has failed in court. Neither the American people nor the judicial system will allow Donald Trump and his administration to haphazardly weaken the civil penalties for companies violating the life-saving clean air standards just to help the auto industry pad its pockets. The civil penalties rule issued by the Obama administration respond to Congress’ directive to the Department of Transportation to update its outdated civil penalties for inflation. These updated fines must remain in place to ensure that automakers do not cheat the system.”
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.