TRUMP FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS WOULD FREEZE IN 2020

Tricia Braid

Aug 02, 2018  |  Today's News |  Ethanol |  Legislation & Regulation

The Trump administration is proposing an EPA-NHTSA rule that would freeze CAFE standards for cars and light trucks at 2020 levels, beginning with 2021 models. The administration says the changes “would save over 500 billion dollars in societal costs and reduce highway fatalities by 12,700 lives,” and would have only minimal effects on climate change and air pollution. “We’re very pleased that EPA is seeking comments on the benefits of coupling the engines and fuels of the future using a higher-octane fuel with midlevel blends of ethanol for reduced emissions, improved efficiencies, and improved costs for the consumer,” said Aron Carlson, Illinois Corn Growers Association President. IL Corn submitted comments last October ahead of EPA issuing these proposed rules urging, high octane fuel be considered part of EPA and NHTSA’s midterm evaluation.

 

Chart of Fuel Standards in comparison to Trump administration standards

“U.S. fuel consumption would increase by about half a million barrels per day ... and would impact the global climate by 3/1000th of one degree Celsius by 2100 ... when compared to the standards set forth in 2012,” says the proposed rule.

Under the frozen standards, the combined car and light truck requirements would rise to 37 miles per gallon, producing an average of 241 grams of carbon dioxide per mile.

 

EPA plans to revoke a waiver that allowed California — and a dozen other states following California’s lead — to set its own stricter rules.

 

Despite protests from auto-parts makers, NHTSA claims that lighter vehicles designed for better fuel efficiency would cause more deaths.

 

EPA and NHTSA will take public comment for 60 days and plan to hold public meetings in Washington, Detroit and Los Angeles. Illinois Corn Growers Association will submit comments to the official docket and may also provide verbal testimony at the Detroit public hearing.