Republican E&C members praise increased fuel efficiency standards

U.S. House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) and E&C subcommittee leaders U.S. Reps. John Shimkus (R-IL) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) applauded the Trump administration for release of new, increased fuel efficiency standards.

Specifically, the members on March 31 issued a statement praising the release of the joint Safer Affordable Fuel Emissions (SAFE) Vehicles Rule released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“We are in a global marketplace and the SAFE Vehicles Rule recognizes our need to protect the environment while maintaining our global leadership,” the lawmakers said in their statement. “We cannot allow China to use this unprecedented time to outpace the United States.”

Reps. Walden, Shimkus, and McMorris Rodgers called it “a smart rule that doesn’t put us leagues behind China when we all know they never play by the same rules.”

They thanked the Trump administration, particularly NHTSA and EPA, for a transparent rulemaking process that led to the increase of fuel efficiency standards based on the latest scientific data, market trends, technological advancements, and stakeholder input, according to their statement.

“The SAFE Vehicles Rule strikes the right balance between reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and lowering the cost of new vehicles for consumers,” said the lawmakers. “It is clear from this rule that the Trump administration is committed to getting more Americans into newer, safer and cleaner vehicles.”