Haslam Opposes Big Jump in Fuel Economy Standards

Tennessee’s Bill Haslam is among a group of fifteen governors from around the country asking the EPA and federal transportation officials not to push fuel economy too hard. Last week White House officials floated the idea of requiring all new vehicles to get better than 55 miles per gallon by 2025.

The group of governors is made up of 14 Republicans and one Democrat, many from states home to major carmakers. They argue against quote “overreaching regulations,” saying such high standards could drive up car prices, hurting sales and consumers.

Tennessee’s auto sector is huge, with thousands of workers for carmakers like Volkswagen and Nissan, as well as GM’s engine plant in Spring Hill, and thousands more jobs in the parts-supply industry.

Haslam’s family is also the private owner of the massive Pilot Oil chain of truck stops.

–

In 2009, the Obama administration raised standards to require carmakers to boost the average fuel efficiency of their vehicles to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. For a link to a letter sent by the 15 governors against the hypothetical further increase, click here.

–