FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact: Stefanie Spear, sspear@asyousow.org, 216-387-1609

Oakland, CA—Feb. 22, 2019—The Trump administration announced Thursday that it has decided to scrap negotiations with California over the president’s plan to undo nationally agreed upon fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks. This announcement sets the stage for one of its most consequential climate-policy rollbacks.

Danielle Fugere, president of As You Sow, had this to say regarding the Trump administration’s announcement:

“California’s long-standing fuel efficiency standards have driven industry progress toward cleaner cars and cleaner air, yet the Trump administration irrationally continues to create uncertainty and undermine progress. This uncertainty is of great concern to investors who recognize the need for companies like Ford and GM to move quickly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare to meet the needs of the global clean energy transition. Faltering now is not an option for these companies, which face global competition from an array of innovative companies and products.”

Lila Holzman, energy program manager of As You Sow, had this to say regarding the Trump administration’s announcement:

“Just as auto-industry leaders are recognizing the need to rapidly transition and align their businesses with global goals to limit climate catastrophe, the Trump administration is threatening to lower the bar and introduce unnecessary uncertainty into an industry that has benefited from smart, forward-looking pollution protections set by California’s standards. Worldwide, the auto industry continues to move toward low or no-emission vehicles, such that disincentivizing U.S. manufacturers from keeping pace with global competitors is deeply troubling.”

For more information on As You Sow’s work on climate change, click here.

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