Needless to say, environmental groups, consumer advocacy organizations, and medical associations are outraged. “This is an indefensible decision at the worst possible time. In the middle of a public health crisis that is devastating the economy, the Trump administration is charging ahead with their plan to demolish a rule that cuts pollution and saves consumers money. This rollback defies science and common sense,” said Dave Cooke, senior vehicles analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists.

“By rolling back popular, commonsense cleaner car standards, EPA and NHTSA would be disregarding their responsibility to limit air pollution and protect the health of all Americans. The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US, and tougher cars standards play a critical role in stemming climate change. Cleaner, more efficient vehicles and electric vehicles are key to safeguarding the most vulnerable people, including children, older adults and people living with chronic diseases, who will suffer the impacts of climate change the most,” said the American Lung Association’s SVP of public policy, Paul Billings.

“At a time when many Americans are going without a paycheck, it’s unconscionable to approve a plan that will have consumers paying more for gas for years to come,” said David Friedman, VP of advocacy at Consumer Reports. “The rollback of these consumer protections was a bad idea when it was proposed two years ago. Finalizing it now, as we are on the brink of a recession, ignores the long-term financial hardships this moment will have on millions of Americans. People—consumers, workers, and small business owners—are the engine of America’s economy, accounting for over two-thirds of US economic activity, and it doesn’t make sense, especially at a time like this, to just wipe away $300 billion in savings consumers had coming their way from gradual and reasonable gas mileage increases.”