The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recently proposed rolling back the “Clean Car” fuel economy standards, which, if fully implemented, could eliminate more than 2 billion metric tons of emissions and save consumers significant money at the gas pump.
On top of these regressive effects, the proposal would deny states the right to create their own, more efficient fuel economy standards. Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) Director Peter Skopec issued the following statement in response:
“The Clean Car standards are a boon to Wisconsinites and Americans. They help consumers spend less on gas year after year, and they minimize air pollution, which leads to better public health. No one likes paying more for gas, and no one wants more polluted air filling their lungs. This is the wrong way to go, and it puts the brakes on positive developments that we should be encouraging.
To date, fuel economy standards have saved Wisconsin households over $670 million, and, if the standards remained in place, by 2030, each Wisconsin household could be $2,400 richer. And while the Trump Administration often invokes states’ rights on other issues, it is trying to eliminate the ability for states to protect their citizens from volatile gas prices and air pollution.
More than a third of U.S. auto buyers live in the 13 states plus Washington, D.C., that have already adopted Clean Car standards requiring vehicles to have stronger emission controls. For the states like Wisconsin that don’t currently have those standards, it’s even more important for more stringent federal standards to remain in place.”
The Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocacy organization that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security, or our right to fully participate in democratic society.
Written By
WISPIRG Foundation
