September 2017

This week, the Environmental Protection Agency held field hearings to collect public input on whether it should revisit the vehicle tailpipe emissions standard for cars and light trucks finalized during the Obama Administration. In 2015, the EPA finalized more protective emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025, however EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has reopened the issue and is considering either delaying or removing that standard. At the hearing, ATS staff member Gary Ewart spoke in support of retaining the existing standard and noted reducing vehicle tailpipe emissions is important to address both respiratory health and climate change.

In additional to the typical array of health and environmental groups speaking in support of EPA regulation and industry groups speaking in opposition, this public hearing had a unique new voice – the military. Several retired senior military officials spoke in support of retaining vehicle emission and fuel efficiency standards, noting that reliance on foreign energy sources is a strategic liability for the U.S.