Energy & Environment — Trump takes a bite out of the CAFE standards

View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  Trump proposes to loosen vehicle mileage standards The Trump administration proposed rolling back vehicle mileage standards put in place under the last administration, President Trump announced on Wednesday. © AP Photo/Evan Vucci The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards standards in question, set by the Transportation Department, set minimum miles per gallon that automakers' fleets have to meet.   "We're officially terminating Joe Biden's ridiculously burdensome — horrible, actually — CAFE standards that impose expensive restrictions and all sorts of problems," Trump said at a White House event.   However, enforcement of the standards were recently gutted in the president's Big Beautiful Bill: A provision pushed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reduced the penalties for not meeting the standards down to $0, making them toothless.   Nevertheless, if the Trump proposal is finalized, the standard that automakers will be legally required to meet will be lower, even if they won't face penalties for failure to comply.   Under the Biden-era standards, the nation's vehicle fleet would have been expected to reach 50.4 miles per gallon by model year 2031. Now, the Trump administration expects the fleet to average 34.5 miles per gallon that year.   The U.S. mileage and auto pollution standards have had massive impacts on the nation's emissions trajectory, and the recent moves to gut them are considered a major setback in the fight against climate change.   The moves are also a significant piece of Trump's deregulatory, affordability and jobs messages, as Trump repeatedly criticized the Biden-era standards while on the campaign trail.   Read more at TheHill.com. 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. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: EPA staffers challenge their terminations over 'dissent' letter Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees are challenging their terminations after they signed a letter criticizing the Trump administration.  Full Story Grand Canyon cancels overnight stays at South Rim lodges because of water-line breaks Plans to stay and soak in the wintry wonderland at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim? You will have to wait.  Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: 'Everywhere chemicals' are in our food, decades after scientists recognized dangers (The Washington Post) Influential study on glyphosate safety retracted 25 years after publication (Le Monde) What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Thune blocks Johnson's request to advance Georgia sanctions bill Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) turned down a personal request by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) last month to advance a sanctions bill targeting pro-Russian, antidemocratic officials in the country of Georgia, according to two congressional aides. Read more House GOP exits mount as gridlock deepens House Republicans have an exodus problem.  Read more   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.