THE Trump Administration's rule to freeze a fuel efficiency mandate imposed on vehicle manufacturers by the Obama administration is being applauded by the Project 21 black leadership network, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
This regulatory relief was specifically recommended in Project 21's 'Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America' as a way to lower economic barriers and increase opportunity for small businesses and low-income households, among other groups.
'We commend the Trump Administration for its common-sense approach to fuel economy standards. It's essential to have realistic goals that don't force American families to choose between putting food on the table and having a modern vehicle,' said Project 21 co-chairman Horace Cooper.
'The Trump proposal will help put consumers back in the driver's seat by giving them the ability to select a household vehicle based on their actual needs rather than the utopian ideals of radicals,' said Mr Cooper.
The 'Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks,' issued jointly by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation, proposes keeping Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards imposed on vehicle manufacturers at the 2020 rate through 2026.
This means passenger cars could remain at a miles-per-gallon (MPG) requirement of 43 MPG instead of being forced to meet the 2025 54.5 MPG mandate imposed by the Obama Administration.
In the rule, the Trump Administration said its intent is to 'correct the national automobile fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards to give the American people greater access to safer, more affordable vehicles that are cleaner for the environment.'
Released last April, Project 21's 'Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America' - a 57-point plan for removing barriers ensuring blacks have a chance to attain the American Dream.
In a June letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt Mr Cooper, Council Nedd II and Stacy Washington pointed out that 'increasing black hardship and jeopardising driver safety for such a small pay-off is simply irrational.
'We've seen vehicle prices increase since 2009, a greater increase than any other durable good. Because these price increases hit all Americans equally irrespective of their ability to pay, CAFE regulations have a disparate negative impact on the poor, a significant portion of whom are black,' the letter said.
'We also recognise that higher CAFE standards have a significant negative impact on vehicle safety while providing only 'trivial moderation' of US greenhouse gas emissions', it said.
This regulatory relief was specifically recommended in Project 21's 'Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America' as a way to lower economic barriers and increase opportunity for small businesses and low-income households, among other groups.
'We commend the Trump Administration for its common-sense approach to fuel economy standards. It's essential to have realistic goals that don't force American families to choose between putting food on the table and having a modern vehicle,' said Project 21 co-chairman Horace Cooper.
'The Trump proposal will help put consumers back in the driver's seat by giving them the ability to select a household vehicle based on their actual needs rather than the utopian ideals of radicals,' said Mr Cooper.
The 'Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks,' issued jointly by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation, proposes keeping Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards imposed on vehicle manufacturers at the 2020 rate through 2026.
This means passenger cars could remain at a miles-per-gallon (MPG) requirement of 43 MPG instead of being forced to meet the 2025 54.5 MPG mandate imposed by the Obama Administration.
In the rule, the Trump Administration said its intent is to 'correct the national automobile fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards to give the American people greater access to safer, more affordable vehicles that are cleaner for the environment.'
Released last April, Project 21's 'Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America' - a 57-point plan for removing barriers ensuring blacks have a chance to attain the American Dream.
In a June letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt Mr Cooper, Council Nedd II and Stacy Washington pointed out that 'increasing black hardship and jeopardising driver safety for such a small pay-off is simply irrational.
'We've seen vehicle prices increase since 2009, a greater increase than any other durable good. Because these price increases hit all Americans equally irrespective of their ability to pay, CAFE regulations have a disparate negative impact on the poor, a significant portion of whom are black,' the letter said.
'We also recognise that higher CAFE standards have a significant negative impact on vehicle safety while providing only 'trivial moderation' of US greenhouse gas emissions', it said.