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Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) spoke on the Floor of the House of Representatives concerned about how recent actions by the Trump Administration to stall fuel economy standards could impact consumers, the environment and U.S. security.
Earlier this month President Trump ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reopen a review of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that were previously set with the goal of vehicles achieving 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025. Auto makers receive credit for a myriad of efficiency efforts so the actual window sticker numbers would range closer to 40 mpg.
CAFE was enacted in 1975 and, before this re-evaluation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and EPA were in the process of finalizing the rule on standards through 2025. Other European Countries, Japan, India, Canada and China have similar or higher efficiency standards planned for the next decade.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) this week predicted gas prices would rise 40 cents by summer. Higgins argued that fuel efficiency standards save consumers at the gas pump, reduce harmful emissions and lessens U.S. dependence on foreign oil an area critical to national security. Congressman Higgins also supported the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which raised the fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles for the first time since 1978.
