Markey: Court Invalidates Bush Administration Truck Rules
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Select Committee, 202-225-4081
Markey: Court Invalidates Bush Administration Truck Rules
Court Says Rules Ignore Global Warming; Kills Regulatory Turkey Close to Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON (November 15, 2007) – Today, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals struck down the Bush administration’s flawed fuel economy standard for sport-utility vehicles and light-duty trucks. The court ruled that the administration’s standard failed to account for the value of reducing heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions in setting the standards and failed to close the SUV loophole, which has allowed auto manufacturers to classify vehicles used primarily for transporting passengers as trucks and thereby meet much lower fuel economy standards.
Below is the statement of Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming:
“Today’s court decision, which deemed the Bush administration’s light-truck fuel economy regulations inadequately protective of the environment, is just the latest in a long line of rebukes to the president and the automobile industry in their quest to block meaningful progress on energy independence and climate change.
“I applaud the court for killing this regulatory turkey so close to Thanksgiving.
“I am particularly gratified that the court ruling recognized that the SUV loophole must be closed, and that the Bush administration also failed in its responsibility to account for the climate change benefits associated with higher fuel economy standards.
“It’s time for the industry and the Bush administration to move beyond the endless stonewalling and litigation and embrace the fuel economy legislation passed by the Senate, which calls for a strong 35 mile per gallon standard by 2020, closes the SUV loophole and requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to account for the climate change benefits of the standards.”
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The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was formed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to increase the visibility and priority given to America's oil dependence and global warming challenges. It is chaired by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and will actively explore the solutions, science and progress on these pressing issues during the 110th Congress.
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