Climate Change News: Trump To Roll Out New Fuel Mileage Standards That Gut Obama-Era Regulations

The Trump administration is set to introduce new mileage standards that will do away with Obama-era policies meant to fight global climate change. The new standards from President Trump will weaken fuel mileage standards for automakers and raise the limits for fossil fuel emissions, the Associated Press reports.

The original standards sought to encourage the creation of fuel-efficient automobiles and the development of more electric cars. Now, the EPA argues that these new, more lax regulations help the U.S. economy and make vehicles safer.

“When finalized, the rule will benefit our economy, will improve the U.S. fleet’s fuel economy, will make vehicles more affordable, and will save lives by increasing the safety of new vehicles,” EPA spokeswoman Corry Schiermeyer said in a statement Monday.

Opponents of these new regulations have pushed back hard, arguing that the administration has failed to highlight the specific benefits to the economy, environment, or the public at large that they would bring. Additionally, some have argued that air pollution would pose a significant hazard to public health, especially in the midst of a pandemic like coronavirus.

“This is first time that an administration has pursued a policy that will net negative benefit for society and reduce fuel savings,” former EPA senior official Chester France said.

Under the Obama administration’s standards, automakers were required to improve fuel efficiency by 5% each year. Trump’s rules would require them to only improve by 1.5% each year from 2021 to 2026.

“They’re doing a rule to damage public health,” France explained further. “In this crisis that we’re having, it’s unconscionable.”

Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen are among the automakers also pushing back against these new rules, urging the industry to strive for greener emission standards. Nearly every other automotive company has come out against the Obama-era rules and pushed for Trump’s new standards.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been the primary government agency involved in drafting the new standards. The did not immediately respond to the AP’s request for comment.