The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday surprised business groups by rushing out a final study on fuel efficiency standards for automobiles to ensure they stay in place once President-elect Trump comes into office Jan. 20.
The Auto Alliance, the auto industry's lead trade group, said it was the wrong move by the Obama administration, calling the assessment — made before scheduled in 2017 — a rush job that they plan to take up with the incoming Trump administration and Congress next year.
"This extraordinary and premature rush to judgment circumvents the serious analysis necessary to make sure the [fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas] standards appropriately balance fuel efficiency, carbon reduction, affordability and employment," the Auto Alliance said.
The EPA midterm assessment of the 2017-25 standards said they would help consumers save money while improving the environment and therefore must continue over the next eight years.
"It's clear from the extensive technical record that this program will remain affordable and effective," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "This proposed decision reconfirms our confidence in the auto industry's capacity to drive innovation and strengthen the American economy while saving drivers money at the pump and safeguarding our health, climate and environment."
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04.28.2024