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Automakers Tell Trump White House: Climate Change Is Real

Major automakers have urged the Trump administration to carefully consider California and its regulations when it comes time to issue new fuel economy standards. They also delivered a message to the White House in a new letter: climate change is real.

Automotive News reported on Monday that the latest message came in a May 3 letter to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. The alliance covers 11 major automakers, including General Motors.

“Automakers remain committed to increasing fuel efficiency requirements, which yield everyday fuel savings for consumers while also reducing emissions — because climate change is real and we have a continuing role in reducing greenhouse gases and improving fuel efficiency,” David Schwietert, executive vice president of federal government relations at the Alliance, said in the letter.

The automakers made their case to align fuel economy measures with California and compromise to create a single set of standards. Right now, California has the right to set its own fuel economy and emission standards through the Air Resources Board and 12 other states follow the regulations.

Right now, fuel economy standards are scheduled to increase through 2026, but the Trump administration may propose freezing the standard at 37 mpg in 2020 across an automaker’s portfolio. After 2026, the standard would eventually rise to 50 mpg.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Yes, climate change is real, and we have no control over it. Global warming is not real and if it does happen we have no control over it. The Volcano in Hawaii has released more CO2 in the Atmosphere in the last 2 weeks that man has probably done in the last 200 years. That Volcano in Hawaii will change the weather more than any thing man could ever do except maybe a nuclear war.

    Reply
    1. Shhhhhh, facts hurt some people’s feelings.

      Reply
      1. In these comments you can see the failure of American education. Eisenhower would be appalled. He increased funding for Science education in American schools after Sputnik scared American assumptions of superiority. He was a Republican President who said that American children should learn more about science and less about “belief”. It was beliefs like the kind you see here that led to American assumptions that Soviet Russia couldn’t be “smart enough” to build a huge technical project before America could. Never forget, Russia won the nuclear high-ground with Sputnik.

        America could not defend itself against Sputnik because it put too much faith and belief in Vanguard, a PR-project at its finest that involved “important Americans” with political connections. It embarrassed America time and again as it blew up on launches. The Mercury 7 astronauts were recorded expressing their fears about riding it.

        And then a German with a seriously bad history (including the use of slaves and a rebuke from Einstein) got one out of his Redstone shed and got a heavy satellite in orbit on the very first try.

        Eisenhower said “enough of American dumbness, time to stop believing in important people and start educating EVERY American kid in the truth of real science and the falseness of belief”

        And then along came Reagan, school funding went private. Along came Clinton, school funding went to rich donors. And along came BushII and Obama, and school funding got tied to even the lowest kid being “above-average” and school funding disappeared completely.

        And now we have internet commenters saying “the earth is actually cooling” and “one volcano causes more warming than humans”. Er, what? We are NOT warming, however, the warming is caused by something. Dunning Kruger to you all.

        And all of US are on Easter Island.

        Reply
      2. GMA, Am I permanently modded?

        Reply
      3. In these comments you can see the failure of American education. Eisenhower would be appalled. He increased funding for Science education in American schools after Sputnik scared American assumptions of superiority. He was a Republican President who said that American children should learn more about science and less about “belief”. It was beliefs like the kind you see here that led to American assumptions that Soviet Russia couldn’t be “smart enough” to build a huge technical project before America could. Never forget, Russia won the nuclear high-ground with Sputnik.
        America could not defend itself against Sputnik because it put too much faith and belief in Vanguard, a PR-project at its finest that involved “important Americans” with political connections. It embarrassed America time and again as it blew up on launches. The Mercury 7 astronauts were recorded expressing their fears about riding it.
        And then a German with a seriously bad history (including the use of slaves and a rebuke from Einstein) got one out of his Redstone shed and got a heavy satellite in orbit on the very first try.
        Eisenhower said “enough of American dumbness, time to stop believing in important people and start educating EVERY American kid in the truth of real science and the falseness of belief”
        And then along came Reagan, school funding went private. Along came Clinton, school funding went to rich donors. And along came BushII and Obama, and school funding got tied to even the lowest kid being “above-average” and school funding disappeared completely.
        And now we have internet commenters saying “the earth is actually cooling” and “one volcano causes more warming than humans”. Er, what? We are NOT warming, however, the warming is caused by something. Dunning Kruger to you all.
        And all of US are on Easter Island.

        Reply
        1. Far-far deeper than the education system…All about morals, at the most remedial level, they need to teach it’s NOT okay to lie to make a buck…

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    2. Reply
      1. climate.gov huh…

        Your source is suspect.

        Side note: we know for a fact the earth was far warmer millions of years ago, and that at that time the earth thrived with MORE life than ever before. We also know that the earth has been far colder and hotter than present many time over in it’s history.

        So what exactly do climate worshipers want? Sounds to me like they want to use man-made, climate stagnation to lock in the earth’s current climate state indefinitely.

        Considering how little we actually know about the overall ecology of the earth and how to actually manipulate it, let alone if that is indeed a good idea or not; I think we should just do our best not to f#ck it up as is and adjust as we learn more.

        Alot of the concerns expressed by the greenie crowd really have no long term affect on the earth anyway. It’s all about putting out perceived offenses for what makes earth comfortable for us now.

        They forget, people adapt and evolve, as do the animals and plant-life. 200 years from now nobody will give a damn that Manhattan is under water. They will be too busy going about their business in a city that floats above the ruins, or on some colony on the moon.

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    3. Really, if “climate change is real” than why are scientist who provide solid data that challenges it silenced, attacked, given death threats? Why are the climate change cult so afraid of hard science if they know they are 100% right? Remember how everyone thought “Global Warming” was real until science showed the Earth was actually COOLING? Suddenly it is “Climate CHANGE”…How convenient that up or down, it “must” be climate change and therefore we must usher in a radical left-wing agenda. Yup, sure.

      And if automakers really want to keep restrictions on them, then they can make their cars more fuel efficient. Nothing is stopping them.. They talk a big game for public perception but dont actually want to since they fought changes before.

      We get it , Sean, you are a Liberal Democrat who is super butthurt that he lost the election and have taken every opportunity to use this blog to bash President Trump. Time to move on, Sean…Election is over. The people not only voted Trump but his popularity is rising and Republicans control all branches of governmemt, including governors and State Houses. You are on the wrong side of history, Sean.

      Reply
      1. I think your tin-foil hat is on too tight.

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  2. Climate for centuries has been like the tide. The earth always balances itself if not we would no be here today with the many changed over recorded history.

    As for the automakers what else are they going to say after being forced into investing 100’s billions dollars into new systems to go electric or hydrogen as the governments try to control every aspect of your life.

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  3. Trump is trying to use whatever old law possible to keep coal powerplants open since he’s “great” friends with uber wealthy Bob Murray…That should tell you a lot…

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    1. There are some coal plants that are much cleaner that even natural gas (probably the greenest fossil fuel).

      Not to mention, that China uses more coal than we ever will.

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    2. Electricity generated with coal is 1/4 the price of solar and wind (all in). Natrual gas.is a better source due to lower sulfur and Nox emissions, but there’s capital costs to consider. So long as coal plants are not ready for retirement, they do need to be kept open. You might be able to afford the higher cost, but the poor can’t. Besides if you want to drive an EV, you are goingnto need a reliable source of energy, especially at night. Solar and wind do not fit those parameters.

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    3. I agree! Dynamite those coal mines shut and close down those coal-fired powerplants too! Putting those 1,000’s of US miners, boilermakers, iron workers, crane operators, etc., out of work, will surely help the US economy.

      Take a nap.

      Reply
      1. What fun is a nap? At least google what you preach unless you just prefer being wrong…The ironic thing is the coal industry is literally using explosives to blow up mountain tops to get to coal, this method requires far less men/jobs than a typical mine…Steel can be smelted with electricity…Former coal sites that have transitioned from coal to wind have been booming and when they hire former coal miners into the wind industry, they have reported a better qualify of life with wind…The “1,000s” of jobs will inevitably die and the coal industry has admitted this but you’re welcome to pay extra taxes to support this dying industry…

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        1. My entire family has been in the Steel/Powerplant Industry since the 40’s. You’re out of your league here. Now, go watch CNN, then take a nap.

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          1. Believe it or not, i 100% agree I’m out of my league here…I provide informative comments and receive “take a nap” in return…Perhaps folks should look up how many coal powerplants have closed this year and last year to see what I’m talking about…

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            1. The fact of the matter is we dont care! All we want to do is drive our gas hogs! Global warming should not be forced on us, if I want to use 100 gallons of gas per day then that should be my choice!

              We should not be trying to fix problems that may happen 100 to 200 years from now! It’s a waste of time and money. None of us are going to be here in 150 years! So I say let the people who are here in 150 years figure it out.

              We could drive Corvettes and camaros for the next 200 years and it would affect this planet one bit

              Reply
              1. climate change is a damn scam and everybody knows it.

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  4. Coal is also used for a lot more than just power. So it is a valuable resource.

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  5. I’m a car guy through and through and don’t own 1 vehicle that gets good mileage. One is a built up 383 with huge polluting lopey cam and no emission equipment The other doesn’t do much better and had most of the emissions stuff removed when I put a blower and cam in it.

    I’m not ignorant to how harmful all our vehicles are however and as a whole, it needs to change. I will hang onto mine as long as possible though.

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  6. LOL of course they want things to go in this direction now. After all they poured and are still pouring millions into this tech

    Reply
  7. Donald Trump knows that climate change is real; but wants to delay it to give the country the ability to build the power grid and infrastructure necessary to support 100-150 Million EVs which would mean every parking space on the street needs to double as a recharging stall.

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  8. The trouble with today is that things are cleaner now for the most than it has been for 100 plus years. There were times Cities like Pittsburg had people falling over with respiratory issues as you could not see across the street.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Donora_smog

    Yes things were bad but today things have much improved.

    But now many have taken to trying to make a profit off the government because of environmental issues.

    Many scientist are careful how they word their studies as if they prove that what they are being funded to study is gone then the funds are gone. Industry pop up companies claim government funds to start but then fail knowing full and well they will take the money and run. Many politicians have invested and claimed profits from these companies like Mr Gore and profited by the laws he passes and funding he lobbied for.

    While there is some truth to some of the issues we face their is also much in the way of lies too.

    The earth is very resilient or we would not be here. Want proof of how resilient? Also proof Science is not always right. MT ST Helens blew and they said it would take Centuries to reclaim the land. Yet with in months plant growth returned as did wild life. Trees are now well on their way to reforesting the areas. They found that much of the ash and other minerals helped promote life. Yes it may not look the same but life is going on just the same and it will return to what it once was.

    Same for the Chernobyl melt down. Yes there was lots of damage. Science said it would be centuries before we could return as well as wild life. Well there back. Yes there is still more time needed to restore it all but the fact is they are now giving tours of the site and people are in and out with no ill effects. The same no as it has changed but it is recovering at a rate that few predicted.

    We as humans underestimate our planet and fail to grasp there are things much greater than us in play here. In the mean time Washington is stealing your lunch money and many are saying thank you by voting them back in every election.

    You know take a look around and see how precisely balanced it takes to promote life. Our search of the universe has provided evidence of no life eve down to the smallest micro cell to this point.

    But yet on life look at our history of eviro damage, comets, floods, fire, volcanos and other related major damage that has been inflicted. Life always comes back. You can not kill it even if you try.

    It is time to understand be it what ever you want to call it this is bigger than just us.

    Life can evolve I think we can all agree. But we have yet to see new life created. We can distill it in a test tube or the like but we are still just playing with what someone gave us in the beginning.

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  9. Anybody who believes that climate change is caused by humans and therefore be corrected by humans is a moron!

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    1. I think such a definitive statement about something you clearly no so little about is a bit ironic.

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    2. Is it time for nonspecialists to call specialists in fields they’re clueless about morons? Can I play?

      “Anybody who believes that empty gas tanks are caused by humans driving for hours on end and therefore can be corrected by humans going to the gas station is a moron!”

      “Anybody who believes that the world is round and astronauts have observed as much is a moron!”

      “Anybody who believes that brain tumors can be corrected by brain surgeons is a moron!”

      This is fun!

      Reply
  10. Sorry to break the news to you so-called GM Comment Field experts — but neither of you are global climate scientists — of which, %97 believe man has contributed to warming the planet.

    Oh. I know. Your Faux News Network and Bought Off Politicians have something different to say. Of course they do, children. They’re owned by big oil.

    Reply
    1. How many of those scientists admitted that they altered their data to make it look like Global warming was a real thing!

      This is not made up it’s TRUE! They lied about the research! It’s a scam!

      Reply
      1. “How many of those scientists admitted that they altered their data to make it look like Global warming was a real thing!”

        Is it time to make vague points via unanswered questions? Can I play?

        Okay, how about “How many kids who believe in Santa Claus know in their hearts he actually exists! The is not made up it’s TRUE!”

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        1. Former NOAA Scientist Confirms Colleagues Manipulated Climate Records

          Feb 5, 2017 Press Release
          WASHINGTON – U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology members today responded to reports about the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 2015 climate change study (“the Karl study”). According to Dr. John Bates, the recently retired principal scientist at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center, the Karl study was used “to discredit the notion of a global warming hiatus and rush to time the publication of the paper to influence national and international deliberations on climate policy.”

          Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): “I thank Dr. John Bates for courageously stepping forward to tell the truth about NOAA’s senior officials playing fast and loose with the data in order to meet a politically predetermined conclusion. In the summer of 2015, whistleblowers alerted the Committee that the Karl study was rushed to publication before underlying data issues were resolved to help influence public debate about the so-called Clean Power Plan and upcoming Paris climate conference. Since then, the Committee has attempted to obtain information that would shed further light on these allegations, but was obstructed at every turn by the previous administration’s officials. I repeatedly asked, ‘What does NOAA have to hide?’

          Here is just one example!

          Global warming is a joke! It was presented to the people of the world because they knew they could make billions off of it!

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    2. The only rational comment here. You have to be a fool to think that over 1 billion cars burning fossil fuels and hundreds of thousands of factories and plants burning coal and gas every day that the impact to the environment is not being effected.

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      1. Yet most of us live under clear blue skies – even in the cities – don’t have any repository conditions common 50-60 years ago, and aren’t being forced in any way to revamp our lifestyle due to unyielding hostile environmental conditions.

        Sorry, but environmentalism is a chicken little cause through and through.

        Does the human condition contribute to pollution? yep
        Do animals and plants contribute as well? yep
        what about natural geological activity? Hell yeah

        So whats my point? The ecosystem of the earth will always recover, convert, and absorb whatever is done in the air and on the surface and in the sea. Why? because there is nothing being expelled into our environment that didn’t already come from the earth in the first place.

        The true concerns we have about the environment are what’s good for OUR environment and lifestyle. As long as we don’t knowingly do things that will kill us then we will be fine. And as we learn more about the ecology and side affects of our lifestyle we will adapt and correct to enrich our lifestyle and lower our negative impact on OUR environment and the rest of the earth by extension.

        Unfortunately most of this debate is based more in political divisiveness, and governmental extremism.

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  11. Climate is not unchanging. It cools and warms but it comes back to its normal. The Pacific and Atlantic Ocean cools and warms as history has shown. My problem with science today is that it is pushed with a political agenda. Mr Gore was way way way off in his calculations and if you looked back and see you would laugh. I’m not ignorant to put a blind eye to it, but all I see has been scare tactics and it shouldn’t be that way. I’m glad we have technology that makes us better and less dependent on oil I think it is great, but it shouldn’t have to be forced. You have progressives , who only think that they are right and your ignorant or played down if you don’t typically agree with their politics or views..

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  12. I’m usually just on here to enjoy the car articles, but I feel that it is important for me to acknowledge the seriousness of rebuffing human-caused climate change. I’m not going to call you deniers ‘stupid’ or ‘deplorable’ as that would be pretty low-class and unproductive to the point I’m trying to make. It’s definitely more of the US educational system’s fault and the climate scientists’ fault for failing to provide accessible data on climate change to the common man. But do understand this: Climate change is real and humans are very much responsible for it. Although I also agree that global temperatures have risen naturally in the past, recent global temperatures for the past 200 years (coinciding with industrial revolution) have been rising at an accelerated rate unprecedented in past warming events. In the past, it would have taken thousands of years for temperatures to rise just 1-2 degrees; today it just takes a few decades. 97% of climate scientists attribute this to the industrialization of human civilization, where the development of factories, cars, and non-renewable power plants have contributed excess greenhouse gases into the environment, thereby trapping heat from solar radiation and warming global temperatures up at such an accelerated pace. Now I’m not asking you deniers to immediately drop your current disposition on this matter, but I am asking you to at least recognize the facts presented, and maybe look into this viewpoint a little bit more by utilizing credible research.

    Reply
    1. So what.

      sidenote: I like how you state “It’s definitely more of the US educational system’s fault and the climate scientists’ fault for failing to provide accessible data on climate change to the common man.”

      Yet as a common man, ALL I’m exposed to is global warming, and climate change, and man is responsible, and etc. Everything I just stated IS boilerplate. It’s THE official story.

      So why is there a debate? Because anyone with half a brain in a non third world country can look around and see NO evidence of what we are being told. The summers are as hot as they have always been since I’ve been alive 1977-present. The sky is noticeably cleaner around cities and just in general. As are beaches (remember when people simply threw their trash on the ground or left it where it lay- I do) parks, and just about anywhere modern man lives.

      Remember when new cars literally puffed soot on acceleration? I do. Planes taking off with black soot clouds in their wake? yep – that’s non existent now. even factories and power plants let of little more than steam from their smoke stacks now.

      My point is what many point to as evidence of man made pollution is legend and evidence from 30-50 years ago. And even when that was the norm, that was cleaner than 30-50 years before that. We are adapting and always moving and improving. The 1st world is far beyond wholesale industrial pollution. The only places that still suffer from traditional pollution woes are 3rd world.And even they are cleaning things up and getting better.

      The catalyst for change is almost always mankind itself. If it affects our quality of life and health, a solution (of which there is no such thing) is sought and implemented, and then we go on to fight the next dragon – usually created by the ‘solution’ we enacted to correct the previous problem.

      Sure there is lots of credible evidence for and against man made climate change. The problem is the media, and those with an agenda refuse to allow for open public debate. when you really look at the data, it’s all hyper specialized. Meteorologist, geologist, oceanographers, and ecologist are all saying different things, or their data doesn’t correlate with the agenda.

      The reality is it’s VERY complicated, and there is no blanket cause, or solution for what we are seeing with the earth’s ecology. There are literally MILLIONS of contributing factors as to whats going on and how the earths ecology is working. Yet the government, activist, and others with ulterior motives are misrepresenting and oversimplifying the data to enact laws and policies that may or may not have any affect at all, and many times simply shift the problem somewhere else. All the while raising the cost of living for the common man and weighing commerce and technical advancement down with totalitarian bureaucracy.

      EVERYONE wants a clean earth. But we need to stop with the divisive and knee-jerk laws and policies that appear to do little more than further political agendas.

      Reply
  13. Some of you are nuts! Open your minds and get out of your bubbles. Scientists have no political agenda. Only a fool believes false notions. Don’t be manipulated – research and think for yourself.

    Reply
    1. Scientists can get bought off just like anyone else! The reports have indicated that it has happened!

      Reply
  14. If they believe this – why are they shifting all their production to giant SUVs and trucks? Cancel all the SUVs and make only small, fuel efficient cars then. Oh that’s right they can’t, they would go bankrupt. They keep it a secret from their customers that all their SUV/truck buyers pay a premium for their cars, to subsidize the small cars that no one wants to buy – so they can meet the insane EPA regulations.

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  15. Global Warming is taboo with Trump , is not to be mentioned in writing or print by any government staff . He axed over 400 scientests and support staff at the EPA . Industries now free to pollute the air , streams and rivers as Trump the businessman cares nothing about pollution , only about placating big business such that big donations and personal glorification is heaped on him ! Pruitt , head of the EPA was in prior job , committed to ending the EPA mandate . Trump the businessman is a personification of greed , I think . I don’t live in the USA but love to watch the media on uTube as Trump sets about destroying the very fundamentals of democracy , as he creates an authoritarian government . Also really like the automakers sitting with Trump and smiling broadly . They can now relax the pollution standards big time , so how can they get Trump to force California to do the same ? Think they don’t have this on their wee greedy minds , hmmmm?

    Reply
    1. The regulations in the USA are to stringent! They shouldn’t be mandatory. The buying public should be able to decide what they want to buy. If people want low emissions cars that should be their choice, and if a buyer wants a gas guzzler speed racer then that should be their choice.

      The same goes for safety devices!

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  17. Who you gonna believe? Scientists with fresh data that clearly links our polluting to the environmental impacts, or politicians with an agenda completely centered on greed? Still not buying? Then how about explaining how else we can be losing the northern ice while cooling? It allows the jet stream to veer farther north and south, directly increasing storm intensity. It’s a fact. Only a pathetic argument against climate change involves politics.

    Reply
    1. I posted proof why it’s a scam! Try reading it!

      Reply

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