Lauren Lantry (858) 334-5634 lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Scott Pruitt’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a hearing for their reconsideration of light duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards for model years 2021-2025. On August 10, the EPA announced the reopening of review for the previously finalized passenger vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards.
In January under the Obama administration, the EPA finalized its proposed decision on fuel efficiency standards, originally set in 2012. The decision kept the fuel economy goals at their current level through year 2025. This decision came after a technical assessment report, a 30-day comment period, a proposed decision, and a second 30-day comment period. The Sierra Club and allies submitted more than 400,000 comments in support of the standards.
In 2009, automakers agreed to the Obama administration's rules, which would bring the average fleetwide fuel economy to between 50 and 52.6 mpg in 2025.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
"Rather than protecting our clean air and our climate, Donald Trump and Scott Pruitt are wasting taxpayer dollars on a redundant and unnecessary review process to roll back vehicle emission safeguards, endangering the health of our children and families.
“Trump and Pruitt must fulfill their duty and support these standards so that American families can breathe clean air, live in a safe climate, and save money at the pump, all while creating American jobs."
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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.