API Coalition Urges Biden to Reconsider Tailpipe Emissions Standards

The American Petroleum Institute joined with over 100 other trade groups representing diverse businesses across the transportation sector in urging the Biden Administration to reverse course on its proposed tailpipe emissions standards for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles. In a letter to President Biden issued on Tuesday, the organizations outlined significant concerns with the EPA’s proposed rules and the need to preserve consumers’ access to affordable, reliable and efficient transportation.

“We share the goal of reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the broader economy and, specifically, those from energy production, transportation, and use by society,” the letter states. “EPA’s proposals inhibit the marketplace from identifying the most efficient, lowest cost opportunities to reduce GHG emissions from vehicles and greatly restrict consumer choice. We are concerned that such a prescriptive policy is not in the best interest of the consumer or of U.S. energy and economic security.”

The letter raised further concerns with EPA’s narrow focus on electric vehicles to achieve compliance and highlighted the benefits of evaluating a broader range of emissions reductions pathways.

“A diversified portfolio of vehicle and fuel technologies that meets the multitude of transportation needs of Americans and makes meaningful GHG reductions can be achieved while also allowing new zero-emission vehicle (ZEV), and specifically battery electric vehicle (BEV), technologies to advance,” the signatories wrote. “Improved crop yield, innovative biofuel and refined product processing, and manufacturing efficiency tied with carbon capture each represent promising advancements for current liquid and gaseous fuels to continue to accelerate emissions reductions.”

The letter contained the names of more than 100 state and national agricultural groups, including corn growers, farm bureaus and ethanol producers; petroleum marketers and fuel dealers; convenience store and truck stop operators; refiners; and motor truck associations.

To read the letter, click here.