Sierra Club Statement on Senate Committee Vote on Heidi King Confirmation as NHTSA Administrator

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Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tomorrow, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is expected to vote on Heidi King’s nomination to become NHTSA’s Administrator.  Since the Committee's vote on her nomination last spring, King has worked hand-in-hand with former coal lobbyist EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to propose new fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks, rolling back the clean car standards put in place under the Obama administration.

King’s full confirmation vote this Wednesday comes on the same week as the Trump administration missed its own deadline to finalize its replacement rule for the clean car standards, which the EPA’s own handpicked adviser says will have a steep long-term toll on the U.S. economy and cost the country hundreds of thousands of jobs, according to a recent study. The rollback would also increase transportation emissions, worsen U.S. dependence on oil, force consumers to pay more at the pump, and increase air pollution in communities across the nation.

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

"Alongside Andrew Wheeler, Heidi King is knee deep in trying to roll back one of the most effective climate policies that our nation has, the clean car standards. The vote on King’s nomination cannot be buried; it demands attention and outrage given that King has failed to demonstrate she’s fit for the job. As one of the main architects behind the unpopular and dangerous rollback, it’s clear that King cares more about Big Oil interests than the well-being and wallets of consumers.”

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.