The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
June 10, 2024

Biden Admin Waters Down Fuel Efficiency Standards in Blow to Climate Goals
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental groups are criticizing the Biden administration for
weakening a plan to make gas-powered SUVs and pickup trucks more fuel
efficient. Last year, the National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration proposed hiking the average fuel economy standards for
the vehicles to 58 miles per gallon by 2032. But under rules issued
Friday, the figure has been cut to 50 miles per gallon - just a small
increase from the current standard. Dan Becker of the Center for
Biological Diversity said the new rule will leave automakers free to
"make cars, SUVs and pickups that will guzzle and pollute for decades
and keep America stuck on oil."


.