Clean Air Council Opposes Trump Administration’s Proposed Rollback of Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2nd, 2018
President Obama’s update of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards would have required all automakers to reach a fleet wide fuel efficiency of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient Vehicles Rule proposed today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) simply freezes progress made by President Obama’s administration to increase fuel efficiency for cars and light trucks model years 2021-2026. The Trump administration’s proposal to halt corporate average fuel economy for cars and lights trucks at 37 miles per gallon will increase air pollution and its consequential health effects in addition to increasing climate change and its dangerous effects on public health, the economy and the natural environment.
Joseph Otis Minott, executive director and chief counsel of the Clean Air Council issued the following statement:
“The Trump administration’s repeal of President Obama’s clean car standards threatens the health of hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians with asthma as well as children, senior citizens and other vulnerable populations. This costly and dangerous handout to the oil industry greatly undermines the ability of Philadelphia and other metropolitan areas to meet and maintain the federal health standards for ozone (smog) pollution.”
“Clean Air Council flatly disagrees with the statement that there are vehicle attributes “that consumers value more than fuel economy and CO2 emissions.” Fuel efficiency and vehicle emissions are extremely important to individuals attempting protect their health while reducing both their expenses and environmental impact.”
Transportation is the largest source of climate changing carbon dioxide pollution in Philadelphia and the country. Motor vehicles create 60% of Philadelphia’s air pollution, contributing to the city’s staggering one-in-four pediatric asthma rate.
CONTACT: Russell Zerbo, Advocacy Coordinator, rzerbo@cleanair.org 215-567-4004 ext. 130
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Is there a way to get this information to those people who refuse to see this administration for the greed-driven machine it is? Too many local residents are still stuck in the “give him a chance” mode, or worse, in the total denial of facts mode. HOW can a group like this reach voters – let’s remember that Pennsylvania was crucial in giving this person – and these ideas – the election……