Decision will damage US competitiveness for years, cost US leadership in auto innovation
WASHINGTON (August 2, 2018) – Earlier today, the EPA and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) formally noticed the Trump administration’s proposal to roll back popular clean car and fuel economy standards. The new proposal would halt fuel mileage improvements for vehicles made after 2020 at 37 miles per gallon, and strip individual state’s from setting their own standards – costing consumers and small businesses money at the pump, creating uncertainty in a booming efficient vehicles and parts sector, and degrading American competitiveness.
The following is a statement from Bob Keefe, executive director of the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs):
“This groundless ruling ignores auto industry experts, business leaders, and American consumers who overwhelmingly support strong clean car standards.
“Once again, a short-sighted decision from the Trump administration will have long-term consequences – threatening the livelihoods of 650,000 Americans who build cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles and the parts that make them run.”
The decision by the EPA and DOT — dubbed the “Safer and Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule” – falsely makes the case the case that tougher fuel-economy standards compromise safety and hurts affordability. This safety claim was debunked in a 2017 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research and a recent forecast found that freezing the standards would cost the U.S. economy $457 billion by 2050.
The following is a statement from Grant Carlise, E2 Director of Advocacy.
“This decision flies in the face of reality. If increasing fuel-efficiency has accomplished anything over the past 30 years, it’s been making safety more affordable for families.
“There is simply no basis for the claim that encouraging U.S. automakers to innovate and compete globally hurts consumers. In fact, the opposite is true. Increasing MPGs allows us to drive farther, pay less, and has helped replace older less-safe vehicles in record numbers, all while improving the global market for American-made vehicles.”
To speak with E2 members and business leaders in states across the country who support strong fuel economy standards, please contact Michael Timberlake at (202) 289-2407.
Background:
- For more information on the nearly 3.2 million Americans who work in clean energy industries, including 220,000 working directly on clean vehicles, see E2’s Clean Jobs America analysis
- For more information on the at least 650,000 jobs focused on increasing fuel economy or transitioning to alternative fuels, see the 2018 U.S. Energy & Employment Report
- For information on CAFE standards saving American consumers money, see the Fuel Economy Facts factsheet from Consumers Union and the Fuel Efficiency, Consumers, and Income factsheet from Union of Concerned Scientists.
- For information on voters supporting strong fuel economy standards, see the American Lung Association March, 2018 poll and the June, 2017 poll form Consumers Union.
- For more information on auto parts makers/suppliers supporting fuel economy standard, see the Automotive Technology Leadership Group
- For information on the top 10 states for clean vehicle Jobs, see E2’s Driving Fuel Economy Factsheet
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.