Senator is House author of provision in 2007 energy legislation that enabled Obama administration’s historic 54.5 mpg standard

Washington (July 25, 2019) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement after it was announced that four major automakers and the state of California came to an agreement to produce car and light truck fleets that average nearly 50 mpg by model year 2026. The deal comes despite the Trump administration proposal to roll back fuel economy and vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards at 2020 levels – essentially committing to no further improvements in fuel economy for cars and light trucks produced for model years 2021 through 2026. The proposed Trump rule also attacks the Clean Air Act waiver that California has long used to maintain its strong state-level vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards, and which Massachusetts and other states have adopted.

“This deal shows that strong fuel economy standards are still feasible, achievable, and absolutely necessary for consumers and the climate,” said Senator Markey. “By proposing to freeze fuel economy standards, the Trump administration has backed Big Oil profits over lower gasoline bills, climate action, technological innovation, and certainty for the auto industry. As one of the states that has adopted California’s state-level vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards, Massachusetts will keep fighting to protect these strong standards.

“The states want strong standards, the auto companies want strong standards, the Trump administration needs to get out of the way.”

In April, Senator Markey, along with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Greener Air Standards Mean Our National Security, Environment, and Youth (GAS MONEY) Saved Act, legislation that would block efforts by Trump administration officials at the EPA and NHTSA to roll back strong fuel economy emissions standards.

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