Cummings knocks ‘strange’ GOP attack on auto efficiency rules

Rep. Elijah Cummings (Md.), the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, on Wednesday said that committee Republicans’ criticism of Obama administration fuel economy standards is a little mystifying.

Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) is attacking what he calls secretive negotiations between the White House, automakers and other parties that produced an agreement on standards for model years 2017-2025 (more on Issa’s concerns here and here).

But Cummings used a Wednesday subcommittee hearing on the upcoming car and light-truck rules to criticize the GOP probe. “Frankly, I have a hard time understanding what the majority’s problem is with the fuel efficiency standards or whose interest they are representing in opposing them,” Cummings said.
 
“I also understand that the majority is concerned that the administration has been inappropriately colluding with stakeholders. This is also a strange claim, considering the frequent complaints from the other side about the administration seeking too little input from industry when developing regulations,” he added.

Cummings noted the agreement — which President Obama announced personally in July — will go through the formal rulemaking procedures, which provide for public input. He praised the joint EPA-Department of Transportation greenhouse gas and mileage rules, citing projections of consumer savings over the life of the vehicles.

The rules are projected to ultimately curb oil use by billions of barrels. “While there undoubtedly will be some challenges to meeting these standards, the substantial buy-in from industry indicates that they are achievable and ultimately will benefit consumers and the United States auto industry as a whole,” Cummings said.