Rep. Kelly on CAFE Standards: We've been gamed again

ICYMI: Rep. Kelly on CAFE Standards: "We've been gamed again.”

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“We’ve been gamed again…There should be an outrage over this regulation that does nothing but [it] pushes an agenda and does not push the well-being of American citizens.”

Washington, D.C. — This week, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) spoke on the House floor against a new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard proposed by the Obama Administration in December. The proposed rule, which would raise the standard to 54.5 mpg by 2025, would amount to the most expensive regulation ever imposed on the auto industry, costing more than $150 billion to implement and raising the average price of a vehicle by $3,200. This substantial price increase will drive over 7 million licensed drivers out of the new car market, effectively regulating vehicles under $15,000 out of existence.

In addition, in order to comply with the 54.5 mpg mandate, manufacturers will be forced to make cars that are smaller, lighter and, consequently, potentially less safe.

On April 7, 2011, Rep. Kelly voted in support of H.R. 910, the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, which passed the House by a vote of 255-172. H.R. 910 would preserve existing fuel economy rules already on the books, and prevent the EPA and California from redundantly regulating fuel economy. Congress has never authorized the EPA to regulate fuel economy under the Clean Air Act, and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 explicitly precludes a state from adopting or enforcing a law or regulation related to fuel economy.

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