Who Benefits from the Roll Back of Obama-era Fuel Economy and Emissions Standards? Hint: It Isn’t You

The Trump administration is nothing if not utterly relentless in its cruel attack on the environment and its willingness to force grossly unpopular legislation that benefits only the ultra-wealthy.

The rollback of the automotive fuel efficiency and pollution standards will:

• Cost consumers huge amounts of money; the standards have saved drivers over $64 billion in fuel costs so far.

• Make cars less safe; the standards reduce fatalities by reducing the average weight disparity in a crash.

• Cost jobs; the industry will cut investments in technology by $40 billion, and cut jobs in the automotive sector by 60,000 in 2030.

• Hurt the economy; consumers with less cash will spend less in sectors that provide job growth.

• Cause disease and accelerate climate change.  The Lung Association called the suggested policy change a “step backward” in the fight against climate change. They write: “From degraded air quality due to higher temperatures to increased risk from wildfires, climate change poses serious threats to all Americans, especially to the most vulnerable, including children, older adults and those living with chronic diseases.” 

The winners?  The major shareholders in automakers and oil companies. That’s it.

Almost 7 in 10 Americans favor the fuel standards, but, as usual, that doesn’t matter a gd bit.