Lauren Lantry (202) 548-6599 lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order instructing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rewrite the midterm review determination on vehicle emissions made earlier this year by the Agency.
On January 13, the EPA finalized its decision that the model year 2022-2025 standards, set in 2012, should be maintained. This decision followed completion of an extensive and thorough three-agency (EPA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, California Air Resources Board) technical assessment report that found the 2025 standards could be met on time and with known technologies, and would save consumers $1.7 billion at the pump. These standards would also reduce climate pollution by 5 billion metric tons over the lifetimes of the vehicles sold in model years 2012-2025. The EPA received more than 400,000 comments from the general public supporting its decision to maintain the standards. Additionally, public polling demonstrates widespread, bipartisan support for strong vehicle standards.
Passenger cars drive America’s oil consumption, accounting for 45 percent of oil used in the United States. At the same time, transportation accounts for 37 percent of greenhouse gas pollution.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“We need to put clean car standards in the fast lane to keep our air clean and our climate safe. Donald Trump and the automakers are endangering the health of our children and families by abolishing life-saving vehicle emissions protections that cut down on dangerous smog pollution and asthma attacks.
“The historic vehicle efficiency standards set by the Obama administration are a proven success with widespread support. Not only are our cars and trucks more efficient than ever before, but U.S. auto sales have reached record highs since these safeguards were put in place. It’s easy to see why: these standards help clean up our climate and benefit our pocketbooks. These standards are improving the fuel efficiency of vehicles across all classes, spurring innovation of electric vehicles and other technologies, cutting oil use, reducing emissions, and saving drivers money in fueling costs.
“Donald Trump’s executive order is reckless and puts the health and safety of American families in jeopardy. As we fight back against any efforts to scrap these life-saving emissions reductions, we will be on strong legal footing.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.7 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.