Clean cars standards critical for our air, land and Great Lakes
Advocates highlight benefits of clean cars standards for Michigan ahead of U.S. House committee hearing
Environment Michigan
Environment Michigan today called on Michigan members of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce to support the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that have saved Americans billions of dollars at the pump, protected families’ health and benefited Michigan’s air, land and Great Lakes.
On Tuesday, the House Energy Subcommittee on Environment and Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection have scheduled a joint hearing to further examine the future of the CAFE standards.
“The clean cars standards reduce dangerous pollution that harms our families and our environment, and we’re counting on Congress to stand up to attacks on these historic standards,” said Callie Rouse with Environment Michigan. “Reducing tailpipe pollution has a direct benefit for Michigan families’ health, as well as positive long-term impacts on our air, land and Great Lakes. Rolling back or dismantling the clean cars standards would be a major blow to Michigan’s future.”
Three members of Michigan’s U.S. House delegation – Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-07) – are members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
While the Trump Administration has reopened the clean cars standards for review, environmental and public health advocates have emphasized the critical need to reduce pollution from vehicles. The clean cars standards also enjoy widespread public support in Michigan; a poll conducted earlier this year showed more than 73% of Michiganders support the clean cars standards on a strong bipartisan basis.
Rouse noted the standards have also had significant economic benefits in Michigan and throughout the nation. Michiganders have already saved more than $1.1 billion at the pump since the new rules took effect on October 15, 2012 – and the standards have encouraged innovation by Michigan automakers that face staunch competition for fuel-efficient vehicles on the global stage.
