AS HOLIDAY TRAVEL BEGINS, NRDC WARNS OF HIGH PRICE OF WEAK FUEL STANDARDS
Rollback Would Spike Fuel Costs, Especially in CO, OH, MI, PA, VA.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – NEWS ADVISORY – As travelers hit the road for July –Fourth, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is alerting consumers to the potential harm to consumers and the U.S. economy of the Trump administration’s plan to roll back fuel economy standards. NRDC estimates how much more consumers would pay to be on the road nationally and in five states: Colorado, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Trump’s rollback of clean car standards would hurt everyday Americans at the pump. The price of gas usually rises in the summer. Some analysts say that gas prices now are at their highest level since 2014. However, today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs cost less to fill up because they can go farther on a tank of gas. Vehicles have been getting more fuel efficient every year since 2012 because of the current standards.
A fact sheet outlining the national impact on consumers of the fuel standards rollback, including breakout estimates for the five states, will be available during the week of July Fourth.
BACKGROUND
Clean car standards are vital to protecting public health, consumers’ pocketbooks and the environment. They keep our air clean and allow us to enjoy outdoor activities, like Fourth of July picnics, by reducing soot and smog. They protect us from dangerous climate change by limiting levels of planet-warming carbon pollution. Fuel economy standards save families money on gas and make us less depend on oil.
The Trump administration plan to dramatically roll back fuel economy and emissions standards for vehicles built for model years 2021 to 2025 was exposed in a leaked draft of the proposal. The administration intends to freeze the standards at the model year 2020 level, essentially telling automakers they don’t have to make vehicles any cleaner or more fuel efficient after 2020.
EXPERT AVAILABILITY:
Experts will be available, even during the Fourth of July holiday week. Reporters interested in an interview or more information can contact Max Karlin, 703-276-3255 or mkarlin@hastingsgroup.com.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world’s natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.
