Roll-back of standards would harm consumers, increase global warming pollution and weaken U.S. energy security

Washington (March 7, 2017) – In response to media reports that the Trump administration plans to roll-back vehicle emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025, today Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) led a group of Senators in calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the strong standards that enhance national security, benefit consumers and help reduce carbon pollution. In the letter the senators point to EPA analysis that the auto emissions standards will reduce oil consumption by 1.2 billion barrels and that the net benefits to consumers of these standards will be nearly $100 billion. The Senators also argue that auto companies have thrived under the standards, having added 700,000 U.S. jobs since 2009 when the standards began to be implemented. However, last month, the Auto Alliance called on the EPA to withdraw its vehicle emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025.

Also signing the letter are EPW Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Md.), and Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

“These automobile emissions standards are economically feasible and technologically achievable for the auto industry as the Final Determination demonstrates,” write the senators in the letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “They will enhance our national security by reducing our consumption of foreign oil. They will benefit consumers, saving them billions of dollars at the pump and reduce our carbon pollution. It is critical that they remain in place.”

A copy of the Senators’ letter can be found HERE. 

During his confirmation hearing, Administrator Pruitt affirmed that the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Massachusetts v. EPA is the “law of the land” and stated that he would “enforce and respect” the EPA’s finding that greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles endanger public health.