Trump loosens vehicle mileage standards

Trump rolls back car fuel efficiency rules

The Trump administration has rolled back car fuel efficiency standards requiring automakers to ensure their cars and light trucks were using less fuel.

While the Biden-era standards would have been expected to get the nation’s car fleet to average 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031, the Trump administration on Monday brought that number down to 34.9 miles per gallon.

The administration argued that this would make cars cheaper, though opponents of the move point out that car owners could spend more on gasoline as a result. The change could also lead to more pollution and worsen climate change.

The Trump administration says that the move will make new cars $1,300 cheaper on average.

The Biden administration said its change, which would have increased fuel economy requirements by 2 percent per year for model years 2027 through 2031, would have saved drivers more than $600 in fuel costs over the lifetime of a vehicle.

President Trump touted the change in a Truth Social post over the weekend.

“BIG DAY FOR AMERICAN AUTO WORKERS AND CAR BUYERS! I have just approved new Fuel Economy Standards that TERMINATE Sleepy Joe Biden and Pete Boot-EDGE-EDGE’s ridiculous EV Mandate,” he wrote.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

An Arizona-based tour company is suing the Trump administration over its move to impose higher national park visitor fees on people who don’t live in the U.S.

Justice Samuel Alito on Monday recused from a major climate case set to be heard next week, stepping aside with no explanation after previously participating in the vote to take up the dispute.

Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Trump administration are considering hosting a baseball game in a national park, according to a new report.

News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics :

Hormone-disrupting herbicide contaminating 25% of continental US rivers, report finds ( The Guardian )

How Does Climate Change Impact Nor’easters? ( TIME )

(NEXSTAR) – Starting Oct. 1, new eligibility rules and updated benefit amounts will take effect for the estimated 37 million Americans receiving SNAP assistance. Read more

President Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a record low in Wall Street Journal polling for a president only a few weeks out from the midterms. Read more

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