Statement of Bob Perciasepe

President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

August 2, 2018

On today’s announced freeze of vehicle standards:

“Consumers, automakers, and the climate are all best served by a coordinated approach to reducing carbon emissions from vehicles. Transportation is now the leading source of U.S. carbon emissions. Automakers are setting ambitious goals and investing billions in innovative technologies to produce cleaner cars. Proposing to unilaterally weaken existing vehicle standards, rather than continuing to work with states and companies on a solution, will saddle the automobile industry with uncertainty and court battles. The Administration’s proposal also threatens to undermine the federalism envisioned by the Clean Air Act by blocking the efforts of states accounting for 40 percent of the U.S. car market. If there is reason to revisit the current standards, the Administration should instead pursue a cooperative approach. It should work in good faith with states and automakers to create a clear, stable, and flexible regulatory pathway that provides the industry the certainty it needs while lowering fuel cost costs for consumers and benefiting the environment.”

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About C2ES: The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to forge practical solutions to climate change. Our mission is to advance strong policy and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and strengthen resilience to climate impacts. Learn more at www.c2es.org.