Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today after Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that he would reject the current greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025:
“Today’s announcement by the Trump Administration to roll back efficiency standards for passenger vehicles won’t sell more vehicles but it will result in higher fuel costs and more pollution. This action will hurt U.S. competitiveness in the global market, punish innovative companies that are working to comply with higher standards, and lead to needless court battles. It also follows another shortsighted Trump Administration proposal that rejects modest penalty increases for fuel economy violations.
“U.S. manufacturers can meet or exceed the standards the Obama Administration negotiated with the auto industry, state regulators, auto workers, and the environmental community. This rollback is nothing but a gift to the fossil fuel industry and continues our dependence on oil."
