MEMA Responds to EPA’s Final Determination

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Final Determination on the Appropriateness of the Model Years (MYs) 2022-2025 Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Standards under the Midterm Evaluation. In the determination, the EPA concluded that the GHG emissions standards established under the 2012 final rule for model years (MYs) 2022-2025 are not appropriate and need to be revised.

While the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) supports adjustments and flexibilities we do not support significant changes to the standards. MEMA is seeking forward progress in the MYs 2022–2025 standards and further program flexibilities including enhancing the off-cycle credit program. MEMA will continue working with the automakers, the EPA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and California on standards that find a balance between consumer choice, affordability, American technological development, and strengthening the U.S. manufacturing sector.

MEMA strongly supports a One National Program with the EPA, NHTSA, and California. Anything that falls short of a National Program with an aligned set of standards will fail to provide the long-term planning certainty suppliers need to make the long-term business and technology investment decisions to meet the MYs 2022–2025 standards and beyond. MEMA urges EPA, NHTSA and California to continue working together on standards.

Motor vehicle suppliers, the largest sector of manufacturing jobs in the U.S., drive the technology advancements that allow automakers to meet fuel efficiency and emissions standards. Suppliers stand ready to fully participate in helping automakers meet the targets of EPA’s GHG emissions program where ever the new standards are set. The GHG standards have driven long-term supplier investments in emissions reducing technologies, spurred U.S. global leadership in innovation and have resulted in an overall 19 percent increase in supplier manufacturing jobs since 2012.

- MEMA President and CEO Steve Handschuh