Statement From Ken Berlin, President And CEO Of The Climate Reality Project, On EPA Stepping Backwards On Federal Fuel Economy Standards

Today, the Trump Administration announced a proposed revision of current federal fuel economy standards, a move that would freeze and ultimately weaken fuel efficiency requirements for the nation’s fleet of cars and trucks. As part of today’s announcement, the EPA also announced its intent to revoke a waiver granted to the State of California under the Clean Air Act, which will block the state from regulating vehicle tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions and setting mandates for sales of electric vehicles. Ken Berlin, president and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, released the following statement in response to the administration’s proposed plan.

“If the president wanted to ensure millions of Americans breathe more polluted air and pay more at the pump, he couldn’t have picked a better way to do it.

At a time when gas prices are hitting their highest levels in four years, rolling back clean car standards means working families will have to use more gas and pay more at the pump just to get to work, take their kids to school, or run their lives.

Dirtier cars also mean dirtier air filling our lungs, putting our health at risk – and especially the young, the elderly, and the more than 25 million Americans who suffer from asthma.

The motivation is clear. By rolling back clean car standards and trying to take away states’ legal right to protect their residents from pollution, the administration is shamelessly propping up the fossil fuel industry responsible for the climate crisis. There’s only one winner here – and it’s not the American people.

Forward-looking fuel economy standards are one of the most effective tools for fighting the climate crisis, all while saving Americans money. There’s simply no justification for weakening fuel economy standards to benefit a few powerful corporations. And we’ll be fighting back in every way possible.”