Sen. Carper opposes EPA plan to lower fuel economy standards

U.S. Senator Tom Carper this week released a statement speaking out against the EPA’s plan to lower fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the Obama-era standards, which called for the doubling of fuel efficiency standards by 2025, were too stringent. The decision begins an extended process to rollback the regulation.

“Despite today’s disappointing announcement, I continue to believe that a “˜win-win’ solution, that can garner the support of both automakers and the State of California, is within reach,” Carper wrote. “Such a solution, though, will require a serious negotiation to take place and an end to polarizing rhetoric that challenges states’ rights and questions clear climate science.

The statement continued:

“There is a way to provide regulatory certainty for automakers, while also ensuring that strong emissions standards continue to benefit the environment and consumers. But a weak proposal, like the one detailed in a leaked document prepared by the Department of Transportation, is far from a “˜win-win’ solution and would actually create more uncertainty for auto manufacturers and lead to unnecessary and lengthy legal challenges. It is in the best interest of all parties, and our planet, for all the stakeholders to come to the table and find a workable solution, and I would urge them to do so expeditiously.

Sen. Chris Coons also spoke out against the EPA decision with a tweet:

Disappointed in @EPA decision to roll back #CleanerCars standards and force Delawareans to spend more money on gas, increase oil consumption, and damage our air quality – endangering our health. We deserve better.

– Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) April 3, 2018