Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) testified at a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) public hearing in Dearborn, MI on the proposed notice of rulemaking to modify fuel economy standards. She strongly urged the agency to focus on developing one national standard for fuel economy and that working with California was critical to achieving that goal. Dingell also said we should be setting standards through 2030.
The public hearing comes after NHTSA and EPA gave notice of proposed rulemaking in August to change existing fuel economy standards for model years 2021 through 2026.
“Let me be clear – we need one national program for fuel economy with strong, reasonable standards that increase year over year and balance the twin goals of environmental protection and affordability. Nobody can deny that strong fuel economy standards have kept our environment clean, reduced our dependence on foreign oil and saved consumers money at the pump,” Dingell testified. “The next step in this process is critical. We need all stakeholders, including California, automakers, environmentalists and the Administration to stay at the table and reach consensus on standards that meet the dual goals of environmental protection and affordability. I also believe we should be setting standards through 2030. We all need to take a deep breath, roll up our sleeves and get to work on a negotiated solution. Everybody wins if we work together. Everybody loses if we don’t.”
Dingell has long urged the Administration, California, and automakers to work together toward one national fuel economy standard for the health of the auto industry and the job it supports.
You can read her testimony as prepared for delivery below:
Good morning, I’m Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and I want to thank the EPA and NHTSA for coming to my hometown of Dearborn to get feedback on the future of fuel economy regulations. Here in Michigan, this is not an abstract or theoretical discussion – we are the car capital of the world and the decisions you are making will impact the future of our industry for years to come.
Let me be clear – we need one national program for fuel economy with strong, reasonable standards that increase year over year and balance the twin goals of environmental protection and affordability. Nobody can deny that strong fuel economy standards have kept our environment clean, reduced our dependence on foreign oil and saved consumers money at the pump.
The Administration has proposed several options, with the most unacceptable being the flatlining of fuel economy standards. Flatlining standards in harmful to American leadership and innovation, as well as the environment. Additionally, proposing to revoke California’s waiver is not helpful to achieving a negotiated solution to this issue.
The next step in this process is critical. We need all stakeholders, including California, automakers, environmentalists and the Administration to stay at the table and reach consensus on standards that meet the dual goals of environmental protection and affordability. We all have to work together to ensure strong, workable standards that protect jobs and the environment and keep pace with innovation and technology so the United States remains competitive.
Having one national program for fuel economy is absolutely essential for both industry and the environment. I also believe we should be setting standards through 2030. We all need to take a deep breath, roll up our sleeves and get to work on a negotiated solution. Everybody wins if we work together. Everybody loses if we don’t.
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