Rollback of fuel economy standards will hurt Ohio consumers
Posted August 03, 2018 in Press Releases
Columbus, Ohio – The Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration yesterday proposed weakening fuel efficiency standards for 2021-2026 models of cars and light trucks. The agencies also blocked states’ rights to adopt their own standards to protect their citizens.
Fuel economy standards have saved Ohio households $1.2 billion—if kept in place, by 2030, each Ohio household would be $2,200 richer according to research by the Union of Concerned Scientists. The standards are a highly effective federal policy to help Ohio families save money at the pump.
The proposal preempts 13 states and the District of Columbia from keeping their own clean car standards and takes away Ohio’s right to create stronger standards in the future. Weak national standards make states’ ability to improve regulation even more important. More fuel efficient cars and trucks benefit family pocketbooks, community health and local economies.
"The latest effort to dismantle fuel economy standards is a blow to Ohio consumers who were already reaping the rewards of more fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Kalitha Williams, project director at Policy Matters Ohio. “We must fight the rollback of states’ right to put their citizens first, and safeguard Ohioans from price spikes at the pump."