WASHINGTON – Reacting to media reports that the Trump administration plans to roll-back current fuel economy emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025, U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tom Carper (D-DE) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), have pledged to oppose efforts to dismantle the Obama administration’s 54.5 mpg standard.

The current 54.5 mpg standard was partially aided by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which includes fuel economy standards co-authored by Markey when he served in the House of Representatives. This week Markey led the effort to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not to withdraw its Final Determination or reopen its Midterm Evaluation of the emission standards for model years 2022-2025.

“Undoing the fuel efficiency standards would harm consumers, weaken our energy security and increase global warming pollution. Strong fuel efficiency standards have put American consumers in the driver’s seat, and that’s where they should stay,” Markey said in a press release. 

“Rolling back these standards, and the progress we have made, not only creates uncertainty for the auto industry going forward, but sends a signal to the rest of the world that addressing potent greenhouse gas emissions is not a priority for the United States,” Carper added.