Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer on Aug. 1 joined a multi-state coalition that filed a motion in federal court to intervene in defense of federal fuel economy standards for light duty vehicles.

In May 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adopted more stringent fuel economy standards for 2024-26 vehicles. Feuer joined a multi-state coalition that urged the NHTSA to adopt those standards, and a similar coalition now seeking to join NHTSA in defending the standards from challenges filed by several other states and a petroleum industry group.

“These vital new fuel economy standards will save us money at the pump, steer us toward more energy independence and help combat the climate crisis – the most pressing environmental issue of our time,” Feuer said. “From the wildfires burning in Northern California to the extreme drought we’re confronting as Angelenos, the climate crisis is impacting us all. My office is proud once again to join cities and states across our nation in fighting for common sense solutions, like more stringent fuel economy standards, to save our planet.”

Under the Energy Policy Conservation Act, NHTSA is required to set standards to improve vehicle fuel economy and reduce energy consumption. During the Trump Administration, NHTSA removed fuel economy standards for 2022-26 vehicles – a move that the states subsequently challenged in court. The coalition argued that the fuel economy standards are critically important to states, which have a responsibility to protect residents from rising gas prices and negative impacts from higher fuel consumption. For information, visit lacityattorney.org.