Fuel-efficiency standards must remain

The auto industry is between a rock and a hard place. They have lobbied the Trump Administration to relax the strict Obamaera fuel efficiency standards to increase fuel economy to 54.5 MPG for model years 2022 through 2025.

The Trump Administration rationale is that it would be too expensive to implement and people would hold on to their older less fuel efficient vehicles longer. They want to flat line fuel economy for models produced in 2021 to 2026 to standards set to 2020.

The industry is now concerned that he has gone too far. During House testimony in May the auto industry’s top lobbyist urged the Trump Administration “to find a solution that continues to increase fuel efficiency standards.”

California has always been in the forefront of auto efficiency standards given the impact climate change has had on their state. They received a waiver from the Clean Air Act to set their own stricter standards. Other states, including Pennsylvania, adhere to California’s stricter rules creating an awkward marketing situation. Now the Trump Administration wants to revoke their exemption.

The attorneys general in Pennsylvania and 18 other states are legally challenging the rollback pending a 60-day public comment period. Let your voices be heard and submit a comment at http:// bit.ly/CleanCarsComment until October 23.