MISSOURI CONSUMER GROUP CONDEMNS ROLLBACK OF FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cara Spencer, Consumers Council of Missouri // 314-556-7379
August 2, 2018

MISSOURI CONSUMER GROUP CONDEMNS ROLLBACK OF FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS 

Rights of States to Protect Consumers From Rising Gas Prices Through Emissions Standards Under Attack

ST. LOUIS, MO – In response to the Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s proposal to roll back national fuel economy standards and strip the rights of states to adopt their own strong emissions standards, Cara Spencer, executive director of the Consumers Council of Missouri, released the following statement:

“We are outraged and extremely disappointed. Fuel economy standards make cars more efficient, saving Missourians money at the pump year-after-year.

What is worse, the Trump Administration wants to take away the rights of states to protect their own citizens from air pollution and volatile gas prices through clean cars standards. 

Thirteen states plus the District of Columbia – representing over a third of auto buyers – have adopted very reasonable state standards that simply require automakers to make less polluting vehicles that also save consumers money. Misssouri has not, but we want the freedom to choose to adopt stronger standards if and when we need them. The fact that we are not a clean car state makes it even more important that we keep the strong national standard in place, which benefit our pocketbooks, our health and our economy.

Missourians will fight this roll back, which would force families to pay more at the pump. We will fight for fuel economy standards that protect consumers from gas price spikes, states’ rights to put their citizens first, and manufacturing jobs, which need a healthy and competitive Detroit.”

To date, fuel economy standards have saved Missouri households $690 million dollars, and by 2030, each Missouri household could be $2,600 richer. More information can be found here.