Upton says Volkswagen’s evasion of law won’t be tolerated

U.S. House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) is infuriated by recent allegations that Volkswagen deliberately programmed its vehicles to emit lower emissions during official testing.

“The very notion of a carmaker intentionally violating our environmental laws is beyond belief,” Upton told The Ripon Advance today.

Volkswagen diesel engines in models from 2009 to 2015 have exhaust emissions levels that exceed state and federal limits throughout the United States.

“Those of us from Michigan take great pride in having a hand in many of the cars on the road today, and we appreciate the challenges automakers face to meet consumer demands year after year,” Upton said. “But reports of Volkswagen selling cars with devices aimed at skirting the law cannot, and will not be tolerated.”

The German car manufacturer has admitted that 11 million diesel-engine vehicles worldwide may be affected and soon will face scrutiny from Upton’s committee, as well as from other U.S. regulators, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The E&C Committee’s Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled, “Volkswagen’s Emissions Cheating Allegations: Initial Questions,” in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. 

Volkswagen Group of America President and CEO Michael Horn and the EPA are scheduled to testify as the subcommittee investigates Volkswagen’s alleged efforts to circumvent emissions requirements.

Subcommittee members are working to understand the facts and circumstances surrounding Volkswagen’s reported Clean Air Act violations, and what they mean for consumers and the general public, U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), who serves as chairman of the subcommittee, recently said.

In an earlier statement from Upton and Murphy, the congressmen said they “will follow the facts” toward giving American consumers answers and assurances “that this will not happen again.”

“Attempting to deceive regulators and customers is a double whammy of betrayal,” Upton told Ripon Advance.  “We will get to the bottom of this.”