Washington, DC — The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced today their intent to slash fuel efficiency and carbon pollution standards for American cars and light trucks. The administration is also moving to block states’ rights — as enshrined in the Clean Air Act — to set cleaner car standards than the federal government. This move puts public health at risk in states already struggling to improve air quality and cut carbon pollution, and threatens the laboratory for clean technology led by the states.

Shannon Heyck-Williams, senior manager for climate and energy at the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“Gas prices are up 26 percent in the last year alone, sucking money out of American families’ pockets they could otherwise use to pay bills or to have some extra spending money to help support jobs in their local economies. All Americans benefit from reducing our oil dependence, creating American jobs by building innovative clean vehicles, and cutting climate pollution to protect wildlife and public health.

“When these fuel efficiency standards were announced, the National Wildlife Federation called them proof government could work across a broad, bipartisan range of stakeholders to solve America’s biggest environmental and economic problems. Slashing these rules doesn’t reflect Americans’ desire for clean air, a stable climate, and a healthy outdoors.”