PROVIDENCE, RI – U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), is opposing the Trump Administration’s plan to weaken fuel efficiency targets for cars and trucks.  After U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the decision to roll back fuel economy standards, Senator Reed issued the following statement:

“The Trump Administration’s plan to pump the brakes on making vehicles more fuel-efficient is bad for the environment, consumers, and ultimately, the American auto industry itself.

“The technology is there to provide significant fuel savings for American consumers while reducing pollution.  But President Trump is putting the interests of a few big corporations ahead of public health and the health of our economy.  Rolling back these standards could cost consumers billions, make us more dependent on foreign oil, and weaken America’s ability to innovate and compete in the global economy.

“I will work with my colleagues in Congress to reverse this short-sighted decision.”