Michael Joe Murphy

Gas guzzlers versus gas misers: What’s your definition? If you’re going by federal standards, the terms may be in flux after the Trump administration announced plans to roll back federal efficiency standards on millions of cars that will be built between 2022 and 2025.

Car makers had long described the standards as unrealistic, warning that they’d add to “sticker shock,” increasing the price of vehicles.

Environmentalists are outraged, emphasizing that the decision will lower fuel savings and increase carbon emissions. (Green groups are promising lawsuits.)

Today’s Front Burner examines the practical effects of the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to weaken an Obama-era decision that automakers boost the fuel efficiency of their fleets from an average of 35 miles per gallon today to more than 50 mpg by 2025.

Is it wise to detour from the planned route for fuel efficiency?

For opposing viewpoints, today’s point-counterpoint taps the expertise of:

Susan Glickman, the Florida director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

James Taylor, the president of the Spark of Freedom Foundation.

Little noted in most news reports, the EPA is expected to hammer out a proposal for new standards covering model years 2022 to 2025 in the months to come.

In the meantime, pay attention to your fuel gauge.

To learn more

Who Expects Car Companies to Willingly Go Green? goo.gl/ypd5tC

Americans love trucks: Does that mean fuel economy doesn't matter anymore? goo.gl/ZVWVVc