Trump Rolls Back Fuel Economy Standards in Biggest Step Backward for Climate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Spear, [email protected], 216-387-1609

BERKELEY, CA—MARCH 31, 2020—The Trump administration today announced its final fuel economy rule, rolling back more stringent Obama-era standards. These standards were considered some of the most ambitious and impactful policies to curb climate change emissions from the transportation sector, the largest source of U.S. emissions. The Trump administration’s new rule will allow roughly 1 billion additional tons of carbon dioxide over the lifetime of cars compared to the previous standards. 

Danielle Fugere, President of As You Sow, made the following statement: 

“While the rest of the world moves toward cleaner and more efficient transportation standards, the Trump administration is dragging its citizens backward, costing us more in fuel and in pollution that causes climate change and health harms from asthma to heart attacks. The new rule will stifle innovation and leave the U.S. auto-industry stagnating and lagging behind international automakers. The administration has overreached beyond what is in the best interest of industry and is impeding American-led innovation.

“The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates just how critical early action and planning is to mitigate known and likely global catastrophes. Yet, even as the administration grapples with COVID-19, it appears to have learned nothing about early action. Rather than leaving in place a fuel economy rule that reduces climate pollution, saves consumers money, and helps avoid global harm, it chooses to affirmatively move in the wrong direction.

“This action is short-sighted and recklessly jeopardizes efforts to combat climate change and limit its most catastrophic impacts—impacts that harm communities, the economy, and investor portfolios. Solutions to decarbonize the transportation sector, such as fuel-efficiency technologies and electrification, are already available and improving. This rule is sure to be challenged in the courts, adding unnecessary uncertainty to an industry under transition at a time of immense economic disruption.”

To learn more about As You Sow’s work on climate change, click here.

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As You Sow is a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building, and innovative legal strategies. See our resolutions here.