CAFE Public Hearing

Please stand by for realtime captions.   
 Okay everyone. To the corporate average fuel economy standards Public Hearing. The NHTSA is hosting this event. Reminder this is being recorded. I am [Indiscernible] with Office Of Communication. I will be one of the one to moderate. 
 Before we get started I would like to go go over a few items  for this event. First, we'll start with the [Indiscernible] right now you should be hearing my voice and sing a graphic on the screen. While I I do not have my camera turned on, speakers  and representatives will have their cameras on throughout the i nterview. Now to the format. People who want to provide comments registered in advance. The schedule for when each will speak is available at NHTSA.G LB/CAFE under the Public Hearing section. We also included a PDF PDF version of the handout session of  the webinar. When it is the speakers time to speak I will call their name. Each speaker will have three minutes with their comments. When speaker regions two minute and thirty-second mark the timer will appear on the screen and will count down so the speaker knows they are nearing the end of their time. When the speakers time is up they will stop speaking. If you are in the middle of a sentence you can complete the sentence but do not continue with additional commentary. We will then move on to the next scheduled speaker. If the speaker concludes comments early I will call the next speaker. That speaker hasn't yet arrived we will call them on their schedule time. If the speaker does not show up at their scheduled time we will move on to the next speaker. A reminder, this is a Public Hearing [Indiscernible] fuel economy standards. All comments should remain on t Public Hearing [Indiscernible] fuel economy standards. All comments should remain on t  opic. Profaned up vulgar, racist or abusive language is not permitted, nor our personal attacks of any kind offensive terms terms that target specific groups  or defensive [Indiscernible]. Violators will be dismissed from the hearing. All speakers and participants should remember that the Agency is also accepting comment with through regulations.gov and [Indiscernible] direct links to the Dockets for the Standards proposal [Indiscernible] you're comments may be submitted there at any time up until m idnight, October 26. Late comments will consider to extent possible. If the speaker Mrs. the scheduled time slot they should send a message to the questions section in GoToWebinar and we will work to reschedule their time. Right now you should be seeing an example of the questions pane. If at any point in attending or speaker finishes a technical issue or needs to reach us please type the message and hit send. Will also be monitoring are general e-mail box. That e-mail address is NHTSA.Communication@dot.gov. Also if someone has not already signed up to speak, who would like to provide Oral comments today you can send us a request to the questions section and we will work to schedule you. For those registers speakers who are already with us a reminder, we do prefer that you join via computer and use your computer's audio, not the call in number. The computer set up allows you to share your camera and message. Fifteen minutes before your scheduled time to speak we ask you send us a message through the questions pane here at GoToWebinar letting us know that you are here and ready. When it is your time to speak to speak with you call your  name and [Indiscernible] too presenter in GoToWebinar. This will allow you to turn on your camera and audio. You should click on the red microphone to turn it green. This major mic is on. You will receive a crest -- request to turn your camera on and we can confirm we can see can see and hear you then ask you to begin. If you experience  technical difficulties we have [Indiscernible] with us for this hearing. They will be able to come on and troubleshoot. We do have a backup call in number handy if anyone has technical issues or can't join or can't join with their computer audio. The number is  in your confirmation e-mail or if you are logged into the webinar just change audio setting from computer to phone call. You will be prompted with a number to call, the access code, and the PIN. You must enter the PIN so we can unmute you. Now that we have gone over the technical set up format I will hand things over to Dr. Steven Cliff, Acting Administrator. 
 Thank you, Derrell, and the morning. Welcome to the Public Hearing on the corporate average fuel economy styles for model year 2024-2026 top Passenger Cars and Light Trucks Rick I appreciate your time and interest interest in this  important issue. Public engagement with our work is crucial to making our work successful, and I look forward to hearing your comments on our proposal. On this first day in office President Biden test us with reviewing the carpet average fuel economy standards and seeing if they could be improved. Climate change and protecting the environment or two of the presidents office President Biden test us with reviewing the carpet average fuel economy standards and seeing if they could be improved. Climate change and protecting the environment or two of the presidents  top priorities. They are two of the U.S. Department of U.S. Department of Transportation's priorities  as well. We cannot address climate change without addressing how much passenger cars and light trucks contribute to the problem, of this is also an issue of equity, another one of the presidents priorities. We priorities. We know the harmful effects from  the transportation system disproportionately affects below income and communities of color. NHTSA as directed by statute is maximum feasible CAPA standards to improve energy conservation. In September, NHTSA published a proposal you are now commenting on today. The proposal would increase fuel economy standards by 8% a year for model years 2024-2026 cars and light trucks. By model year 2026 currently estimate this would result in an average of 48 miles per gallon fleet-wide. The standard throughout saves billions of dollars for consumers who would use less gasoline and provide fruitful environmental benefit from burning less Fossil fuels. We conducted rigorous analysis and our proposal considers a range of alternatives. After all of that we definitively concluded that this level alternative [Indiscernible] in our proposal is maximum feasible for the 2024 through 2026 model years. We believe the Standards can be met today because of the industry is already moving in that direction. They are already retooling future models to meet the demand for more efficient more environmental friendly vehicles. Nearly all auto manufacturers [Indiscernible] new electric vehicle models with them even committing to an eventual all electric future. These strategic moves show that more stringent standards are feasible. After all, the Company [Indiscernible] make announcements if they did not believe they could meet them and that the market demand existed. Today, we will hear your comments if they did not believe they could meet them and that the market demand existed. Today, we will hear your comments  on our proposal. As Derrell said earlier, each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes each. We want to make sure we have sure we have time to hear from  everyone. A number of NHTSA staff are listening to this Public Hearing and several will be turning on their cameras throughout the hearing. They may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentation but will not respond to the presentation at that time. NHTSA will consider every comment we receive in the development of the Final Rule pick to start, the [Indiscernible] Administrator for Rulemaking, Ryan, and Attorney Advisor, Rebecca, well be joining me to listen to our first group of speakers. Now I will turn it back to Derrell to get us started. Thank you, very much. 
 Thank you, Dr. Cliff. 
 First to provide Oral comments is Center for Biological Diversity. Greg, if you can send us a message us a message to let us know that you are here we will here we will send  your request. Greg Harned. 
    I do not think Greg is here. The next speaker will be Laurie Holmes with MEMA. 
 [Silence]   
 Go Ahead. 
 We can hear and see you. You can begin. 
 I am Laurie Holmes representing MEMA. We represent vehicle suppliers, the nation's largest sector of [Indiscernible] jobs directly importing more than 907,000 w orkers. Vehicle suppliers provide 77% of the value of the vehicle, including a wide range of technologies and products such as complex, highly integrated systems to make vehicles safer, more efficient and lower emissions. After EPA and NHTSA finalized respective roles in 2012, vehicle supplier [Indiscernible] and substantial [Indiscernible] in making long-term investment and commitment decisions on advanced efficiency technology. Vehicle suppliers continue to invest billions of dollars and industries research, development and deployment of [Indiscernible] technologies in meeting the standard. As a result [Indiscernible] continues to support cleaner, more efficient transportation future. Therefore, supports the goals of the NHTSA program. MEMA generally supports NHTSA standards for model years 2024 through 2026. With support to the approach to industry continue improving fuel efficiency of all vehicles, supporting a broad spectrum and Advanced Technology instead of focusing on only [Indiscernible] segment of larger vehicles in these model years. While we must [Indiscernible] segment of larger vehicles in these model years. While we must  support increase in wide range of electric issues in technology, MEMA also strongly supports further advances in innovation to internal combustion engine technology. All of these technologies by a part in the nation's goal. MEMA continues to strongly support harmonization as much as possible between the PA, NHTSA and California. [Indiscernible] EP8 to work together to align [Indiscernible], streamline compliance and necessary [Indiscernible]. Agencies should strive to finalize [Indiscernible] to online stringency by your 2026. As technology investment become more diversified [Indiscernible] and consistency our critical to vehicle supplier. Standard Repo standard or achievable and also challenging. [Indiscernible] will require buyers to continue [Indiscernible] significant capital investment and long-term commitment. MEMA urges policymakers at all levels to enter there's an overall [Indiscernible] for complementing policies that will help to to create an ecosystem to support and  secure and advanced transportation technologies future. We look forward to providing comments. 
 Thank you, Laurie. 
    The next speaker will be, Katherine Garcia, Sierra Club. 
    Good morning. 
 We will send you a camera request and you can turn on your camera. Katherine Garcia and Director of Sierra Club -- thank you for the opportunity to testify today. And mother to a toddler and climate activists. My advocacy is focused on strong vehicle standards for residents across the country [Indiscernible] cleaner, safer and fuel-efficient cars Rick I think the Administration for the speed with which they worked on new clean car standards to set us back on track from illegal and [Indiscernible] by Donald Trump. [Indiscernible] errors from the previous administration requires a path forward bolder than ever. We need environmental regulations that are strong enough to get industry to act and innovate at the pace required to tackle the climate crisis. We need to finalize the strongest [Indiscernible] possible in order to set [Indiscernible] regulation that push automakers to make the most efficient vehicles they can. Address in the most stringent CAPA standards will protect communities from harmful transportation pollution and save drivers money at the pump. This is critical for the U.S. to [Indiscernible] climate disrupting admission too meet our Paris Agreement commitment by 2030. I am disappointed to see that NHTSA is often [Indiscernible] which would allow automakers too [Indiscernible] Donald Gantz guzzlers. There should be no [Indiscernible] that erodes the effectiveness of the rule by giving automakers credit or technology that doesn't actually/emissions. I'm excited about the opportunity that strong fuel economy standards will bring many manufacturers opportunity. Clean, efficient vehicles can be built here in the U.S. and for workers built here in the U.S. and for workers  to have access to well-paying, family sustaining union jobs. This is already happening but we need more of it. A strong rule permits will help us get there. Thank you, again, for this opportunity to testify. 
 Thank you, Katherine. 
 Next is Steve Henderson with Ford Motor company. 
 Steve, if you can let us know that you are here? 
 Can you hear me and see me? 
 We can hear you and see you, s ir. You may begin. 
 My name is Steve Henderson, Regulatory Compliance were Ford Motor company. [Indiscernible] climate change a strategic party for our Company and we are proud [Indiscernible] automaker committed to doing our part to reduce emissions in line with [Indiscernible] while working with California for stronger [Indiscernible - muffled]. We believe in making great v ehicles, protecting the environment and maintaining a strong [Indiscernible - muffled]. We applaud the Biden administration's goals for electric vehicles of the future and for U.S. leadership on emission reductions reduction in critical [Indiscernible - low audio] technology. Electrification [Indiscernible - muffled] [Indiscernible] and employee electric E transit van. We're investing more than $30 billion in electrification by 2025. Recently announced [Indiscernible] in veteran Park to create 11,000 new jobs and [Indiscernible - low audio]. Turning out to proposed rulemaking, support the proposal too [Indiscernible - low audio] and in general meet it's proposed [Indiscernible] for [Indiscernible - low audio]. The proposal recognizes compliant mechanism [Indiscernible - muffled] including advanced technology to provide fuel savings and [Indiscernible] Greenhouse Gas. These regulations are finalize we recommend continued [Indiscernible] by NHTSA and the PA-2 harmonize Greenhouse Gas standards. In particular, recognizing structural differences between the two programs. We ask you also consider the appropriate lead time for design and development of green technologies. Taken together the elements of this proposal are stronger [Indiscernible - low audio] as significantly improve fuel economy aligned with today's [Indiscernible - muffled] climate change in President Biden's ambitious vehicle electrification. The country must collaborate for the future. Government, industry and consumers must hold conversations like this to agree on and achieve [Indiscernible - low audio]. At Ford we will do our part in developing efficient and zero emissions vehicles and combined with [Indiscernible - muffled] to build them at scale. We expect to be well-positioned to have elective vehicles, for 40% to 50% of [Indiscernible - low audio]. We truly appreciate the opportunity to provide customer [Indiscernible - low audio]. Thank you. 
    Thank you, Steve. 
 The next speaker will be Greg Harned with Center for Biological Diversity. 
 Good morning. My name is Greg Harned. I am with climate law Institute for Center for Biological Diversity. National non-profit Conservation Organization and Institute to protect human health, wildlife and ecosystems from the impact of climate change [Indiscernible - low audio]. Greenhouse Gas emission to prevent worse outcome. The Secretary [Indiscernible - low audio] audio] stated earlier  this month [Indiscernible] today threatening American lives, livelihood, homes and businesses cap and even the way we travel and operate we travel and operate our Federal Agency. To getting this that will  take bold action. 2020 was hardest year on record in 2021 is on track to be the worst from droughts, fires throughout the United States. Debby stranded are best opportunity to reduce the house gas emissions. Cars and light-duty truck majority of [Indiscernible] unlikely [Indiscernible - low audio] more more than any other vehicle [Indiscernible  - muffled]. Fortunately [Indiscernible] failed to achieve maximal visible [Indiscernible] and even weaker than CAPA standards Agency determines nine years ago. Compared Agency should implement standards at least as stringent as alternative. Even more stringent than our necessary for U.S. [Indiscernible] on track. President Biden targeted zero a mission. Agency should also [Indiscernible - muffled] cannot be achieved their economy vehicle safety are [Indiscernible] increase t echnology. Small task not inherent to [Indiscernible - muffled] large as you bear trucks. 2021 Honda Accord [Indiscernible - low audio] and criteria whereas 2021 [Indiscernible - low audio]. [Indiscernible - muffled] received lower ratings. Reducing the weight of light-duty trucks represent fastest-growing segment of U.S. vehicle fleet, increases fuel economy and [Indiscernible] damage caused by two other vehicles. For example, Ford F-150 adopted [Indiscernible] bodywork [Indiscernible - low audio] upgraded by NHTSA to five Star safety. [Indiscernible - low audio] by other automakers mandated by [Indiscernible - muffled]. Similarly, more efficient [Indiscernible - muffled] more than offset [Indiscernible] and despite transit concern consumers [Indiscernible] slightly more expensive vehicle where the fuel savings for emission reduction. For example, the Accord which caused by granting less than 2021 [Indiscernible] would save owners nearly $5000 more fuel costs for the first five years. Ndour.to the must adopt more stringent fuel standards [Indiscernible] alternative to mitigate climate change [Indiscernible - low audio] and push automakers to adopt [Indiscernible - low audio]. Thank you for your time. 
 Thank you, Greg. 
 Next speaker will be Paul Billings, American Lung Association. 
 Paul? 
 Good morning. 
 We do not see you. We can hear you. 
 I will speak if you can hear me. 
 Good morning, Paul Billings, National Center by President of the policy for American Lung Association. The American Lung Association supports that the proposal to strengthen fuel efficiency standards and finalize well that maximizes emission reduction for health benefits top avoid loopholes that will reduce real-world real-world impacts of this rule. We are due  to move forward to drive nationwide transition 20 emission vehicles. Air pollution is a major threat major threat to public health and discriminative Black and Brown communities and  [Indiscernible] communities. Politicals thousands of people to die prematurely each year in the U.S. a motor motor vehicles  are leading source for missions of great ozone [Indiscernible] pollution. American Lung Association's most recent State of the air report than 135 million people in the United States countered unhealthy air pollution. Report also from people of color are much more likely to live in counties with failing grades ozone [Indiscernible] pollution. American Lung Association's most recent State of the air report than 135 million people in the United States countered unhealthy air pollution. Report also from people of color are much more likely to live in counties with failing grades  for air pollution than white Americans. Transportation also leading contributor of climate change. [Indiscernible] near roadways or gas operations, refineries disproportionate burden of air pollution and climate changes changes making the  pollution worse. Let me repeat this, climate changes making the air quality worse that time is short so I will brief points. First, climate change is a health emergency. Intergovernmental panel on climate change on a path towards catastrophic destruction [Indiscernible] there is, and greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. From deadly storms to wildfires that destroyed communities knowing can escape the legal consequences of urgent need to act. Setting strong as CAFE standards is an is an important component of the U.S. response to  climate change. Next NHTSA must maximize the real-world efficiency advances for the program. I urge you not to lock-in [Indiscernible] or credits that would lead to fuel efficiency advances on advances on paper that do not result in real-world fuel  efficiency gains. In the proposal you laid out alternatives Rick I urge you to finalize your rule that is at least as strong as alternative three. Alternative three is the most though strategic well aligned protecting health. It has greatest health benefit including live cells, gas reductions options under consideration. It to be the minimum starting place for final rule and for the next round of standards. Lastly, I call on you to finalize the strong [Indiscernible] to make sure they go into effect where cars more year 2024. And then you should move forward with the next set of strong rules. We need to get on track long-term to address the scale of public posed by cutting Fossil fuel consumption Associate omissions as quickly as as quickly as possible from gasoline cars increase adoption of  electric vehicles to 100% elective vehicles by 2035 per can conclusion got a change is a health emergency. NHTSA must maximize advances to minimize loop. Emission for elective vehicles and finalize the rule to implement regulations regulations a model year 2024. Thank you,  very much. 
 Thank you, Paul. 
 The next speaker will be Michael Hartrick, Alliance for Automotive Innovation. 
 Michael, you should receive a request. If you can click on the microphone so that we can hear you. 
 Good morning. I Michael Hartrick representing the Alliance for Automotive Innovation auto innovators. Auto innovators represent automakers a produce nearly 99% of all light vehicles sold in the United States for suppliers and technology and mobility companies. Auto innovators in the number of companies are aligned with this administration's goals and visions for for addressing climate change and stronger competitive U.S.  economy. However, as we will explain further in Written comments we have we have concerns about the approach NHTSA is taking of this  proposed rulemaking we look forward to working with NHTSA to ensure CAFE final rule properly aligned with vinyl EPA rules and is consistent with statutory obligations. Today the industry is transforming to provide cleaner cost saver [Indiscernible] automobiles. Other companies our stepping up to the challenge to greatly expand challenge to greatly expand Electrification setting  aspiration for what it was at the 50% of new light-duty vehicle sales in 2030, in the vesting over $330 billion in Electrification by 2025. Thus critical that NHTSA, EPA, auto innovators, auto companies and other stakeholders work together to reduce greenhouse gas commissions, improve fuel economy and enable to ship to electrified vehicle including better elective vehicles top [Indiscernible] Hybrid vehicle and [Indiscernible] vehicles will continue to support U.S. auto jobs. There are three aspects I want to highlight today. First, long-term vision today. Going from [Indiscernible] sales last year to 40% or more in less than nine years will be years will be challenging for achieving this goal will require more than regulating vehicle. It requires significant efforts  by all stakeholders including federal, State, and local governments, utilities, fueling infrastructure providers, [Indiscernible] and fleet operators, to name a few. Ensuring [Indiscernible] recharging infrastructure are affordable, [Indiscernible] and can be different customers will be [Indiscernible] customer demand in making this transition. This will require a comprehensive national strategy which includes State top local, federal investment put into place necessary conditions for success which are in addition to the substantial investments automakers are making towards easy transition. Second top today standards need to set the stage for longer-term success. The proposed standards are likely to be met through [Indiscernible] increase in vehicle E lectrification. Although it may not consider fuel economy benefits of alternative fuels and evaluating feasibility of [Indiscernible] CAFE standards, program designed to enable and encourage adoption. Supporting [Indiscernible] inclusion that into the minds elective vehicles for [Indiscernible - muffled] electric vehicles emissions. Finally, want to know the importance of of coordination and stringency alignment  between NHTSA, CAPA and [Indiscernible] program. Fundamental Agency it auto industry worked under said 2009 top climate is critical to reducing unnecessary [Indiscernible]. This is particularly important [Indiscernible] Debby greenhouse gas standards align such as Abbey program does not have additional improvement beyond those required in [Indiscernible] program nor make [Indiscernible] for higher electric vehicle production. Thank you for your time. 
    Thank you, Michael. 
 The next speaker will be Christopher Harto with Consumer Reports. 
 Christopher, you can accept the panel request and turn your microphone on. 
    Can you hear me? 
 We can. 
 You may begin. 
 Thank you for the opportunity opportunity to testify  today. And is top with Ricardo, senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports for consumer does supports to reverse previous administrations disastrous [Indiscernible] to reinstate strong CAFE standards. However, this proposal does not go far enough and restores less than two-thirds of the consumer savings compared to the original [Indiscernible - low audio] standards. This can and must do better to protect consumers while ensuring equity in the [Indiscernible - low audio]. Automakers have proven time and again they will not deliver the savings consumers want and need without strong standards in place. According to latest EP a Drudge Report after accounting for shifts in fleet, automakers improved overall fuel economy by near 0.2 miles per gallon from 2026 to 2029. While they lobbied previous administration too rollback the standards [Indiscernible - low audio]. Consumers and the climate don't have another four years to wait. Consumer Reports has two key recommendations to improve this rule. Making the following changes will allow consumers to recover most of the savings they would have achieved under the original Obama Biden. Number one, NHTSA should return the Obama Biden level in 2024. Automakers agreed to be level of stringency in 2012 and had plans in place too meet the standards as recently as last year. Extra credits earned under the [Indiscernible] rule they should be able to catch-up. Number two, transition set stringency and 2026 at least as strong as [Indiscernible - low audio]. U.S. is behind the curve climate commitment and only sending aggressive CAFE targets to allow us to catch-up. Finally, Consumer Reports find NHTSA analysis overestimates the cost and underestimate the benefits of the rule. One key area where the modeling needs to be corrected is estimation of safety to 15. NHTSA Arrhenius Lee [Indiscernible] not statistically significant. NHTSA also incorrectly relies on sales and models that greatly underestimate what consumers are willing to pay for improvement in fuel to 15. Falsely attributes safety impacts to rebound driving which is a voluntary consumer choice, and in no way driven by the rule. None of these key assumptions are reasonable or valid. Clean cars are safe cars. At this moment you have a historic opportunity to make a difference in the lives of all Americans top and we urge you to seize on this by setting maximum, visible standards that restore the benefits of the 2012 Obama standards. Thank you for your time. 
    Thank you, Christopher. 
 Our next speaker will be, Mac Dressman with USP IRG. 
 Mac, if you can accept the camera request and turn on your microphone? 
 Can you hear me? 
 Yes, we can. You may begin. 
 One to four. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Mac Dressman and I'm a transportation policy Associate with public interest Advocacy G roup. I think the Administration for acting swiftly on clean cars, (inaudible) to create strong as possible fuel economy standards. I urge you to keep these standards at least [Indiscernible] O bama/Biden standard but preferably much stronger to ensure the greatest economic and health benefits to the public. Alternative three which would increase corporate average fuel economy and 10% per year is a strong option of both technically feasible and cost-effective. The standards have already gone through a rigorous technical review process which found auto manufacturers have the technology too meet these standards. With strong as possible fuel economy standards, [Indiscernible] reduce pollution and protect [Indiscernible - low audio]. Standards also save divers money every trip to the gas station. Gas is part of a family's budget and America's drivers have already faced billions of dollars at the pumps thanks to these standards. Unsurprisingly cap increasing fuel economy is extremely popular with the public. In fact, 2020 Consumer Reports found a 94% of Americans we're planning to buy or lease a vehicle in the next two years, so fuel economy is important to them with 64% saying it's extremely important or very important to them when considering what vehicle to get next. In addition, within seven in ten Americans agree or strongly agree agree that automakers should continue to improve fuel economy  for all vehicle types and that automakers have the responsibility to continue to improve gas mileage. Overall, grading strong as possible fuel economy standards for vehicles is popular with the public, good for the environment and public health, technically feasible and cost-effective and will save Americans significant amounts of the pump. Once again, I urge this administration to take the strongest standard possible because they are working. We should maximize their benefit by maximize their benefit by making our cars and light-duty  trucks more efficient, and I urge you to go back to at least the Obama/Biden federal standards thank you for the opportunity to testify. 
 Thank you, Mac. 
 Our next speaker will be Jonathon Shevelew with Tesla Owners Club of Pennsylvania. 
 Jonathan, you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on top please?   
 How is that? 
 I can hear you and see you. 
 Great. 
 My name is Jonathan Shevelew top head of the Tesla Owners Club of Pennsylvania. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I'm Club of Pennsylvania. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I'm  not here to [Indiscernible] statistics to prove we are faced with a climate crisis. I believe any reasonable individual at at this point would recognize this is the case. I'm also  not ever myself. I am really come the worst effects of this crisis will not be felt during my lifetime. I'm here because when I look at my children and felt during my lifetime. I'm here because when I look at my children and  my 5-year-old grandson I am terrified for the future that they will inherit because of the selfish and difference that my generation has demonstrated. We are faced with a climate crisis, therefore, need to react as this is a crisis and not a minor inconvenience that can be addressed over time. This [Indiscernible] been implemented 20 years ago. Absolute minimum NHTSA should implement alternative three. It's not nearly enough for the best of the three choices you are proposing. Manufacturers have already demonstrated that achieving 100% reduction in Greenhouse Gases is possible today. To encourage them to continue to invest funds in resources and reduce the emissions from Fossil fuel engines is an absurd approach with diminishing returns. Especially since we already know that these engines to 15. When a country like Norway Norway who is  also an major oil producer can make the full transition by 2025 top why would we think that we cannot do that here. Centrally mother of invention. I spent many years in software development and we have the same that any program will expand to fit all available space. If you accept anything less than zero emission target you will eliminate any sense of urgency and of urgency and condemn the Planet to 20 more years of reveals that  it cannot endure. This is not shattering news to vehicle manufacturers. They have known this is coming four is coming four years but have no incentive  to move towards TV. It's imperative we push them order by making financial penalties so severe that not investing in transition would be disastrous business decision for them. There's also a political reality to consider. What currently government recognizes the prices we are faced with those those positions contain future administrations in order to ensure we  do not waiver from this path NHTSA needs to put rules in place that are aggressive and need to be acted on immediately by setting 2026 is a goal to eliminate at least 50% of GHB omissions from light-duty vehicles, ensures there will be no future divergence based on changing political landscape. I urge you to consider this as an alternative.We will be held accountable and judged for our for our actions in this crisis by subsequent generations. What we  do today will affect the quality of life for many years. It's fine for us to to be the adults in the room. Thank you for  your time. 
 Thank you, Jonathan. 
 Next speaker will be Douglas Gruenau. 
 Douglas Kahn if you can accept the camera request and turn on your microphone? -- Douglas Gruenau. 
 Can you see me? 
 We can hear you but we cannot see you. 
 I do not know why that is. I am sorry. Hello got my name is Douglas Gruenau become a private citizen. I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We are living through a mega drought. The great majority of people that I know are choosing options of vehicles that are electric or Hybrid. We have done the same in order to mitigate the production of Greenhouse Gases but we know we alone cannot significantly create a change in the production of Greenhouse Gases. Therefore, I am requesting that the [Indiscernible] requirements are set significantly higher in order to spur innovation in the auto industry to create more efficient vehicles and lead automakers to make better batteries for electric cars and more efficient Hybrids. This has to be done in order to ensure a better future for our children, are grandchildren and their descendents. Thank you. 
 Thank you, Douglas. 
 Do we have Matthew Puthenpurackal or Derek Blair on the panel? 
    Okay, I do not think we do. 
 At this time we will conclude this panel and take a break. If a speaker misses their scheduled time we ask you send a message to us through the questions section in the GoToWebinar. We will work to reschedule you at a later time. The next panel is slated to begin at 10:35. At this time we will close this panel and take a short break. Thank you. 
    [The event is on a short recess. Captioner on standby.]   
.  [The hearing will resume at 10:35 a.m. ET.]   
 [Captioners transitioning]   
 [ Captioner Standing By ] 
 Good morning and welcome to our second panel. Before next beaker begins I would like to welcome our next group of representatives will be appearing on camera to listen to the comments. First, we have and Carlson, chief counsel Nitza, Rebecca Schade attorney advisor NHTSA  and [ indiscernible ] engineer office of fuel economy program thank you. We would like to remind everyone that we will need you 15 minutes before your scheduled time to speak, we ask that you send us a message through the questions pain here and go to webinar letting us know that you are here and ready. Our next speaker, our first beaker, excuse me will be an Jaworski with the environment along policy center. And, if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Yes can you hear me? We're yes, we can, thank you. 
 Good morning my name is and I am a staff attorney at the American lot and [ indiscernible ] center bear which is the Midwest public interest and [ indiscernible ] organization. The LTC supports Nyssa's conclusion were not the maximum feasible and should be rebuys. The LPC and urges NHTSA to adopt a strong fuel standard for  2026 by finalizing the standards listed in number three of the proposal. We further urged the agency not to finalize any flexibility for automakers which are not required by the statute and which do not result in the real world fuel economy improvements. I have three specific points. First, strong economy fuel standards that reduce greenhouse gas emission can benefit our national security and energy security by mitigating the climate crisis. The six assessment report recently issued by the unit interpreter climate change make sure the climate change is caused by human and currently has devastating impacts which are only Speck could to get worse. Transportation is the largest source of American greenhouse emissions at about 29%. Climate change not only has negative impact on our environment, and on agriculture and public health but, on critical energy and transportation infrastructure. NHTSA should and can  consider those impacts. Second, strong fuel, fuel economy standards increase equity by [ indiscernible ]. And public health. Stronger fuel economy standards mean less [ indiscernible ] and low income communities and communities of color tend to live closer to large highways and suffer disproportionate health harms from this. They stand to benefit from these fuel economy standards. Fuel-efficient cars save Americans wanted the gas pump. That fuel savings outweighs any increase purchase price of the car. Fuel-efficient cars are especially important for millions of Americans who spent greater proportions of their incomes on gasoline. Ensuring that new cars sold today and in the next two years are as efficient as possible means that a few years later fuel-efficient used cars will be available on the market. My third point is that strong fuel economy standards are feasible and they help to spur the adoption of fuel technologies that can be cost-effectively implied to automobiles. Auto manufacturing industry is important [ indiscernible ] in the Midwestern economy and supports American manufacturing jobs in this industry will be third in its innovation fighting strong fuel economy standards. Again we urge NHTSA dabbed up the strongest  standards and eliminating any nonstatutory loopholes that would allow automakers that would give credit for technologies it will do not represent fuel economy in the real world. Thank you for time to testify. 
 Thank you and. Are next beaker will be Lynn Bailey. With the early climate task force. Lynn, if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Share Matier, share my audio, hello. 
 Okay. 
 Thank you all for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Lynn Bailey and I'm here today as a private citizen and we also volunteer as a member of the [ indiscernible ] of New York climate task force. I strongly support this administration swift action on cleaner cars and urge NHTSA to adopt  the alternative that would deliver not only greater energy and cost to consumers but would make a significant dent in lowering our greenhouse gas emissions caused by Gaspard vehicles. I'm here because I'm especially concerned about global warning warming which is causing major climate shows and destroying her own habitat and future generations. As Greta Thornburg recently pointed out there's been a lot of blah blah blah but no real action. I am hopeful that this agency will prove that we can take meaningful action. International panel of climate change Julie notes that we have already have a crisis. That this crisis will worsen. We must ask, act as quickly as possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Submissions to the Paris climate accord are falling woefully short of what is needed to avert major catastrophic failure in the function of [ indiscernible ] that we know today. In the U.S. that transportation sector accounts for 29% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions caused by the sector are something this agency can do a lot about. It has been done before with previous changes and you can do even more with higher standards going forward. Personally the air-quality effects me greatly. I can no longer venture into the heart of Manhattan in the summer without experiencing stressful breathing due to the high levels of vehicular exhaust. Many other, many other people have a terrible asthma due to air pollution especially around tunnel, bridge and highway constructions. Which cause a preponderance of those vehicular emissions. Furthermore I would like to have access to cleaner options in every vehicle class at an affordable cost. Mandating lower emissions but all manufacturers will only spur more advances and choices for consumers and provide more good jobs for our economy. Once again I urge you the administration to set the strongest fuel economy standards possible because they work. We should be making our cars and light duty trucks even cleaner and more efficient. We should push on to make heavy-duty trucks, all transit cleaner and more efficient. I urge you at a minimum to reinstate the Obama, by that will standards with your alternative. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify here today. 
 Thank you Lynn. Our next speaker will be Julia McLaughlin with the alliance of nurses for a healthy environment. Julia. 
 If you could turn your request, except the camera request to turn your microphone on. So, we see you in the panel. If you click on the red microphone that will turn your microphone on. If you click to accept the camera request that will turn your camera on. Okay Julia you seem to be experiencing some difficulty so we will move onto the next individual and we will have a technical person help you out. Our next speaker will be Laura Bender with the American lung Association. Okay Laura if you can accept the camera request enter your microphone on. Wonderful. Thank you, you can begin. 
 Thanks. Hi I'm Laura Bender national vice president for health ER with American lung Association and thank you for your time today. In order to fulfill our mission of [ indiscernible ] by improving one's health and [ indiscernible ] the high priority on policy that drives nationwide transmissions for vehicles. This proposal is a critical step towards at zero mission future. As you have heard my colleagues we urge this that will achieve benefits that will be at least as strong as alternative green. We need to maximize the long-term health benefits. We also urge you to avoid including this federal rule any loopholes or [ indiscernible ] that benefits from reality. We urge you to complete the rulemaking in a timely manner to include [ indiscernible ] model year 2024. Today I want to highlight support of the health community it's improving fuel efficiency and driving fuel transportation nationwide. Climate changes health emergency. Millions of Americans like you on the line today have first line experience with the health and climate change. We have seen unhealthy elements due to wildfire smoke. Hot days that mean high levels of high ozone. In the air-quality takes a hit to as anyone knows [ indiscernible ] from thinning out from a flood after a storm. Plus the people of lung disease that our organization serves are hit hard when they do not have access to their usual medical care team. Is not to mention the long list of climate change that [ indiscernible ] select nutritious food, to the mental health [ indiscernible ]. We hear about this from the nurses and physicians and other health professionals we work with. They are seen at first hand. That is why they are so committed to cleaning up the pollution that causes climate change. The health community has been rallying support for years. A few recent examples in 2017 the lung Association wrote letter to NHTSA and more the 700  medical professional asking for strong state and federal regulations. In 2018 we join more than 90 national state and local health organizations [ indiscernible ]. Earlier this year we [ indiscernible ] 13 other health organizations for Pres. Biden on the administration to ask act prudently emissions production schedule [ indiscernible ] Obama [ indiscernible ]. Said stronger standards for 2030. Last month a robust contingent of how community submitted comments to the EPA for stronger in her car standards including 28 state and national health organizations. Climate change is a health emergency but also health opportunity. Zero mission vehicles immediate benefits to health and equity. And future want. Thank you. 
 Thank you Laura. Our next speaker will be Liz Scott the American lung Association. Liz if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Okay we just need you to click the red microphone so it can hear you. 
 Can you hear me now? 
 We can, thank you you can begin. 
 Thank you so much my name is Lee Scott and I'm speaking you today on the lung Association and the millions of patient that deserve cleaner air. I want to start by saying I appreciate that NHTSA is moving forward with strengthening fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars and light trucks.  As my colleagues have noted here today we are calling on to finalize this ruling to make sure it maximizes the health benefits and emissions reduction without loopholes that do not benefit public health. We support standards at least as strong as alternative three. I want to spend the remainder of my short time today talking to NHTSA  responsibility to protect and improve public health by setting even stronger fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks in the future. The standards under this rule are a necessary first step but, they are just a first step. We need to say more health protective standards in the future if we are to keep the role of having 50% of all new passenger nickels be zero mission in 2030. Pollution from cars and trucks is helping to drive climate change which can lead to more excessive eat like what we saw across the country and the globe this summer. More frequent extreme weather events and intensified wildfires. Balloons you from cars and trucks can also contribute to ozone and particle solution. Causing direct health impacts particularly for vulnerable populations like those. A report released by the American lung Association in September 2020 found that transitioning to electric and heavy-duty vehicles increasingly powered by noncombustible energy. 72 benefits annually by 2050. To some of my remarks to you today I appreciate this administration is strengthening official standards that were weakened in the previous ministration. I call on you to provide them this year and offer standards that are at least as strong an alternative three. Further we asked for standard stronger standards into the future to help dry the nation towards at zero mission vehicles as soon as possible to set the nation on a path towards a healthy future. Thank you for your time. 
 Thank you Liz. Our next speaker will be Julia McLaughlin with the alliance of nurses for healthy environments. Julia if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Taken you see me? 
 We can hear you but, we cannot see you. If you are okay with giving your comments orally we can accept that. 
 That would be great. Thank you so much for the opportunity to provide comments to date. My name is Julia McLaughlin I'm a registered nurse and part of the alliance for healthy environment. The only national organization focused solely on how the environment impact human health. Our organization strongly supports creating the strongest possible fuel economy standards. I would like to thank Pres. Biden and his administration for acknowledging the importance of addressing climate solutions from a transportation sector which is the largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Gasoline and diesel powered cars SUVs and pickup trucks pollute the air and drive climate change. [ indiscernible ] are taking care of people in communities that are most affected by climate change from extreme heat and extreme weather and [ indiscernible ] applies to more frequent and intense wildfires affecting air-quality. Without immediate auctions these health risk from climate change will only become more. Reducing air pollution addressing climate change is an environmental issue. The American lung Association 2021 stated their reports and the people of color are over three times as likely as white people to live in the most polluted areas. The current proposal is a step in the right direction to address cleaner car standards that were rolled back by the previous administration. I urge you to finalize the strongest possible version in your proposed rule to alternately dried the United States towards a zero mission vehicles. The strongest possible fuel economy standards have the, to drive down vehicle pollution and protect public health. It is critically important that automakers [ indiscernible ] loopholes that give them away to give them credit for technology and better all fuel economy. In this proposal alternative most rigid and [ indiscernible ] of protecting her health and environment. The Bidens just ration, environmental justice is issuing a stronger clean car standards will help address key transportation related impacts by local, income, black, indigenous and people of color [ indiscernible ] from vehicle pollution with increased rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Alternative [ indiscernible ] should be a solution. Climate change is a health emergency in the Biden administration must use all tools to promote carbon pollution reduction measures. Please finalize this proposal quickly and [ indiscernible ] fuel efficiency standards for cars, light trucks and SUVs that will accelerate the transition to zero in mission vehicles. We must take action at every level [ indiscernible ] and reduce vehicle pollution to protect human health. Thank you. 
 Thank you Julia. Our next speaker will be Max when Croft with environment America. Max if you can accept the camera request and unmute your Mike. 
 Hello, can everybody hear me? 
 We can, thank you, you can begin. 
 Gave her the [ indiscernible ] to testify. My name is Max federal legislative associate with environment America. I went to college and Aral town Pennsylvania where I saw firsthand the impact of air pollution have on people in the valley. There were days when you could not only see the Hayes which hung in there but taste and smell it as well. The most experience I feel strongly about America's clean car standards. American clean car standards reduce air pollution and combat climate change. Reducing the harmful health impacts like asthma attacks. The [ indiscernible ] of a global pandemic is keeping our air cleaner is more important than ever. They ensure that cars, pickup trucks and SUVs for more fuel-efficient so saving drivers every money every time they fill up their tanks. America's drivers have already saved aliens of dollars at the pumps thanks to the standards. Furthermore we can't [ indiscernible ] automakers loopholes as a government on analysis that shows that stronger standards will save more money at the pump and manufacturers have the technology required to meet the standards. I think the Biden/Harris administration for acting swiftly on clean cars but urged NHTSA to create the stronger  possible fuel economy standards for vehicles as it [ indiscernible ] the previous administrations attack on clean car standards. The proposed rules the strongest option and most technically feasible and cost-effective. As I mentioned before the government found that auto manufacturers have the ability to meet the fuel efficiency standards but, are reluctant to do so. I urge you to keep the standards as originally designed to ensure the greatest reductions in global warming emissions. Once again I urge this administration to set the stronger standards possible because they are working. We should maximize their benefits by making our cars and light duty trucks more efficient and I urge you to go back to the Obama Biden federal standards. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. 
 Thank you Max. Our next speaker will be Luke [ indiscernible ]. Luke if you can accept the camera request entering your microphone on. 
 Sorry it looks like we have [ indiscernible ]. 
 Oh, okay. There we go. Good morning and thank you for holding this hearing. My name is Luke and I'm the director of the clean physical fuels for natural resources Council. And I am here on behalf of energies 3 million members and an activist is to support our efforts to safeguard the rights of all Americans to clean air, clean water and a healthy planet. Eliminating the pollution associated with petroleum vehicles is a part of ensuring a healthy planet and clean-air. It's also central to saving consumers money at the pump. The national Highway traffic safety administration has a duty to set the maximum fuel me standards for passenger cars and light trucks to ensure patient is reducing are dangerous dependence on [ indiscernible ]. Minces [ indiscernible ] during the Obama administration. [ indiscernible ]'s revised standards should at least restore the petroleum use reductions expected under this automobile standards. Therefore [ indiscernible ] is urging NHTSA to finalize the rule stronger than the agency's preferred alternative. At least as stringent as alternative  three. NHTSA estimates that alternative three would achieve lifetime  fuel saving similar to that would've been a achieved at NHTSA . Extended them through 2026. Furthermore the benefits of alternative exceed those of the preferred alternative, alternative to on multiple counts. For example according to NHTSA's analysis alternative three would deliver up to $32 billion in net benefits through 2050.  Say the equivalent of an additional 61 61 billion gallons of gasoline. Also in 20/40 alone alternative three would limit greenhouse emissions by 36 million metric tons more than alternative to. This is equivalent to all the transfer lick, transportation related emissions. NHTSA acknowledges that alternative three is technically feasible and finds that the consumer savings from less consumed  consumption outweighs technology costs. Is economic, economic benefits of the alternative three are also likely to be even greater than those projected by NHTSA for example, NHTSA projects that the light-duty sales  will climb even under the no action baseline. This is counter to EIAs energy Outlook projections which include [ indiscernible ] state vehicle standards. And is counter to the idea that several automakers voluntarily agreed to stronger standards required under the California framework. It does not seem likely therefore that automakers produce reduced sales especially with their increasing production on electric vehicle technologies that go belong industry standards. In conclusion energy C urges NHTSA to finalize a rule based on alternative three  urges NHTSA to finalize a rule based on alternative 32  maximize reductions in fuel consumption and emissions to maximize fuel savings, economic security and Vermette are enhanced by NHTSA's  for truly maximum fuel economy. Thank you. 
 Thank you Luke. Our next speaker will be Devon Walken's with the competitive enterprise Institute. Devon if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Hello, can you hear me? 
 Yes we can, thank you. 
 Hello, my name is Devon Walken from competitive Enterprises Institute. This NHTSA rule from the reduction of [ indiscernible ].  There are problems with that analysis. NHTSA relies on the EPA's claims  2.5 [ indiscernible ]. But NHTSA justifies [ indiscernible ]. This is especially important given the problems of these claims that NHTSA is Artie been made aware of. The clean air  advisory board, require independent board of experts that harms claim by EPA, sales failed to provide adequate [ indiscernible ] causes [ indiscernible ] cancer as APA claim. Even worse according to members mortality causation appear to be based almost excellently on epidemiological studies which cannot be used in isolation to determine causation. The chairman [ indiscernible ] described is what he is described as unstated, untested, unverified mistaken assumptions. Including the failure to [ indiscernible ] and estimated exposure values,". That EPA's claim of harms are relied upon studies which quote do not address exposure measurement and estimation error and should not be used and cited as evidence. To correct the statistical areas charming Cox said EPA should use errors and variables analysis to correct [ indiscernible ]. Both EPA and NHTSA has been made aware of the problems  [ indiscernible ] with the harms concerning 2.5. The agencies continue to not use errors and valuables analysis. No reason for the failure to correct the statistical errors have been given by EPA or NHTSA.  The competitive enterprise Institute sued EPA and NHTSA to ensure that it would be forced to consider the problems  [ indiscernible ] identified. That court case is currently being held.  At EPA and NHTSA request.  NHTSA said they were reconsidering the role. But, this proposed rule does not reconsider any of the errors  that Chairman Cox identified. It doesn't even mention them. NHTSA cannot ignore the problems identified by the independent scientific experts  at the agencies asked to evaluate these claims. I urge NHTSA  to reconsider this and apply the errors and variables analysis that Chairman Cox suggested to fix the statistical problems. Thank you. 
 Thank you Devon. Our next speaker will be Jenna Ryman Schneider from asthma and allergy foundation of America. Jenna if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. Thank you, we can see you. Like you. 
 Awesome. Hi there I'm Jenna Ryman Schneider Dir. of Addrisi at the asthma and allergy foundation of America also known as [ indiscernible ]. Hundred in 1953 is the oldest and largest organization for those with asthma and allergic disease. We support the administration's proposal to tighten fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks. For Molly is 2024 through 2026 and urge NHTSA to finalize standards  at least as strong as alternative three in the proposal. 25 million Americans have asthma including up to 6 million children and 5600 people die each year from asthma. [ indiscernible ] as many people he stay. A chronic disease that causes your ways to become inflamed making it hard to breathe. There is no cure for asthma. The United States, the burden of asthma falls disproportionately on the black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska native population. Especially on children. These groups have disproportionately higher rates of poor asthma outcomes including hospitalizations and deaths. In fact as documented in [ indiscernible ] 2020 asthma disparities in the American reports black Americans are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans and five times more likely to be treated in emergency rooms. Black women have the highest [ indiscernible ] numbers of any other group. Poor air quality and exposure to air pollution are very significant risk factor both for developing as men for those who already have an asthma diagnosis. Clean air and adjusting the climate crisis are particularly important to the asthma and allergy community. Especially those in racial and ethnic minority. A leading contributor to air pollution of the largest source of climate pollution in the United States, the transportation sector represents immense opportunity for public health benefits. Nationwide transition to zero mission vehicles will reduce the burden of pollution. First, populations are highly benefit environment. Second other communities will benefit from the upstream pollution reduction associated with extraction transportation and [ indiscernible ] control products. As we know the communities impacted most for disparate initially lower income largely racial and ethnic minority populations. Making a finalization at the strongest possible standards and environmental justice imperative. [ indiscernible ] support screen is safe air for everyone but especially for vital population like those with chronic asthma and chronic respiratory disease. It's a good start to adjusting the previous administration rollback of cleaner car standards but, more must be done. NHTSA must make haste and finalize the rule this year to make sure model 2024 is covered and to set up more protective health standards beyond that.  We know climate change is a public health emergency and we cannot afford to delay action. Thank you for your time. 
 Thank you Jenna. Our next speaker will be Sam Jasmine with the competitive enterprise Institute. Sam if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Good morning. Can you hear me? 
 Yes we can. 
 Yes, I'm Sam Jasmine General Counsel at competitive enterprise Institute speaking on behalf of CEI. CEI submits that NHTSA proposal fails to adequately deal with the issue of traffic safety. Fails to adequately assess the benefits of less stringent alternatives.  Now, NHTSA points to the various commitments made by carmakers to California  to achieve more stringent greenhouse gas emission limits. NHTSA claims that this supposedly demonstrates that both the market is getting ready to make the leap to significantly higher  fuel economy. Factor, that does not include, excuse NHTSA to fully analyzing the cost of those commitments.  The safe rulemaking, the previous rulemaking indicated that the less stringent alternatives considered by the agencies had greater traffic safety benefits than the more stringent alternatives. This relationship continues to hold for the alternatives that Nitza is now considering. The mass safety relationship is a strong one. In the words of the insurance and superhighway safety both a bigger, heavier vehicle provides better crash protection and a smaller lighter one assuming no other differences. It asked for the possibility that larger vehicles pose a significant danger to the occupants of smaller vehicles the insurance Institute finds quote large vehicles are not a bigger threat to people small vehicles as they used to be. In the last rulemaking one organization actually accused NHTSA is supposedly  fixating on alleged traffic fatalities. Given the traffic safety is literally part of NHTSA's very name that is an almost comical accusation. ,  Now if anything NHTSA seems to be fixating on emission  issues rather than traffic safety. In the 1992 D.C. Circuit case of CEI versus NHTSA the appeals court found that NHTSA had arbitrarily ignored the likelihood of standards at that time  quote kills people through combination of lame claims, bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo and fudged analysis. At least a NHTSA has now admitted that there is a safety  [ indiscernible ] to standards. Foley has failed to analyze that cost and for that reason we urge NHTSA to go beyond the alternatives laid out in this proposal and more fully analyze  less stringent alternatives than what it has proposed. Thank you. 
 Thank you Sam. Our next speaker will be Andrea. Andrea if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Can you hear me, hi, I'm sorry. I was having a little bit of technical difficulty. 
 No problem. 
 Good morning everybody thank you so much for holding this hearing. I'm really honored to be here today. Dynamics Andrea and I am the clean advocate at green Latinos. We are an active [ indiscernible ] of Latinos environmental and [ indiscernible ] fighting against climate change in [ indiscernible ] that intensifies systemic, social and health and economic injustice in a community spirit I'm really grateful to be here today at this hearing. It is been an exciting and informing [ indiscernible ] of the Biden administration. Was the president promised bold action to reverse [ indiscernible ] emission efficiency standards for passenger cars and trucks. I think the administration for acting so sweetly on this issue. Last month I was delighted to learn about the newly proposed CAFE standards, strong  fuel standards not only important for consumers but, also for the health of our children's lungs and the well-being of her most vulnerable communities. I am here today to urge NHTSA  to ensure the CAFE standards in order to create the strongest possible  [ indiscernible ] of vehicle pollution, only stronger standards can happily have the power to grow the economy by saving consumers money at the pump, spurring innovation in the development of new clean-air technologies and the electrification of the transportation sector and perhaps most importantly drive down vehicle pollution to protect public health. Specifically NHTSA's alternative three proposal could deliver on the  Biden administration's stated commitment to environmental justice issuing stronger clean car standards will help address key transportation related impacts including mitigation of the disproportionate burden and harm that low communities and communities of color experience of vehicle pollution. The last point is really why am here today. There is an urgent need to create and support the implementation astringent clean vehicle standards in order to mitigate the impact of emissions in Latino communities. As you may know a recent nationwide study found Latino children are three times more likely than non-Hispanic white children to live in counties were air quality standards are exceeded. Nearly 1/3 of Latino children live in counties where it's hazarded air pollution concentrations exceed a one in 10,000 level. Latinos are twice as likely [ indiscernible ] to be seen in emergency room for asthma. Latino children are twice as likely to die from than their white counterparts. Strong standards can prevent exposure to the vehicle [ indiscernible ] and protect against completely unnecessary deaths. While saving energy and supporting economic growth. Is a simple win-win. By implementing the strongest possible fuel economy standards NHTSA can follow through on the administration's stated commitment to environmental justice. I urge NHTSA to finalize alternative three which will push automakers to make the most  fuel-efficient and clean vehicles they can. Thank you so much for this opportunity to testify. 
 Thank you Andrea. Before we move on we would like to know if Edward Stewart or RJ Harrington has joined us? If so please contact us through the question panel to let us know that you are ready to speak. That is Kevin Stewart or RJ Harrington. Okay. They seem, they have not checked in. So, we will go ahead and close out the session, the next session will begin at 1135. Again if anyone has missed their timeslot and would like to speak please send us a message through the question section of the webinar and we will work to schedule your time. At this time we will conclude this panel and we will open the next one up at 11:35, thank you. 
 [ Captioner Standing By ] 
 [ Event on recess. The session will will reconvene at 11:35 pm ET ]  Sadie 
 Good morning. Before next speaker begins I would like to welcome our next group of NHTSA representatives who will be appearing on camera to listen to the comments.  Gregory Powell, engineer, office of fuel economy programs NHTSA. Hannah fish  attorney advisor NHTSA.  And engineer office of fuel economy program,  NHTSA.  Also, if you are speaker if you were scheduled to speak and you missed your scheduled timeslot and, or if you had not always signed up to speak but would like to provide oral comments today please send us a request through the question section and we will work to schedule you. If you are logged in please send us a message through the questions pain letting us know you are ready to speak. Our first speaker will be excuse me RJ Harrington with sustainable action consulting PVC. Esther Harrington. We can see you, if you can click on the red microphone so we can hear you. There should be a red microphone in the panel 
 Yay. 
 There you are. 
 Once my video got added it sucked away this pain. Good morning Gregory, Hannah, Renée and everybody else that is participating. RJ Harrington with stable action consulting based here in the Denver Metroplex of Colorado's front range. So, please to have the opportunity to present my oral comments to back up some written comments that I submitted earlier and thanks to all the teams for flexibility albeit [ indiscernible ] Josh Nasser who is scheduled right now that I am taking your time because I am a member of the sandwich generation. Taking care of elderly in-laws as well as teenagers and got called away at my appointed 1112 at my appointed 11 1215 minutes notice. So, at any rate with my business, doing business at national charging we are deploying electro vehicle charging infrastructure across the country. [ indiscernible ] is an adventure. We are in 43 different states and we are supporting the owners and operators of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. What we are seeing on a day-to-day basis is that this business is bringing good, well-paid jobs to sectors across communities. When an electric vehicle charging station is deployed and all of its related infrastructure, that requires traits, that require civil contractors, that requires electrical contractors that requires landscape contractors in some instances. These are jobs that cannot be outsourced. So, as you can see, consider strengthening the cafe standard I will propose that it be in the strongest possible standard because what that will do is ultimately drive more interest literally and figuratively in the adoption of electric vehicles. As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to increase under new CAFE standards  that will increase the utilization factor of this electro vehicle factor of infrastructure that is been deployed across country. Why does that matter? Because businesses are ultimately taking a risk at this point in the market. If they are installing electric vehicle supply equipment or charging stations, let's say even a charging depot with multiple charging stations they are taking a risk that the utilization factor of that charging infrastructure will not be great enough to lead to significant return on that investment. So, please strongest possible CAFE standards, not only for business purposes  but, we must eliminate the extraction and combustion of fossil fuels across our economy. Thank you very much. 
 Thank you RJ. Our next speaker will be Josh Nassar with the international union. Josh, if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Hang on. Just one second, sorry. You know what I'm just going to do it this way. Can y'all see me okay? We're almost there, raised it up, there we go. 
 Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thanks for the opportunity to testify today on this important proposal. First of all our [ indiscernible ] is really honored to stand next to Pres. Biden and Sec. [ indiscernible ] and many other leaders in support of the framework that is being proposed here. We think that is a middle ground that is being established through both NHTSA and EPA proposal. We think there's [ indiscernible ]  between a job and protecting the environment. So we can do both the prayer world has demonstrated that. Now, I do want to state that you know this is a complicated rule and we are going to have to go through a process where [ indiscernible ] engagement with all stakeholders around possibilities, around harmonizing so if some work to be done. We opposed outline maintaining this current safety standards. It's proven to be really disruptive for our members and it really put the whole program in limbo and [ indiscernible ] investment United States. On the other hand we also the idea of ramping [ indiscernible ]. And essentially doing something which is not feasible for a company to make changes and they have been operating under this [ indiscernible ] rule. You know that is just a fact. Now, it's going to be very important as we go through this process is that all stakeholders [ indiscernible ] the right spot. Electrification which I know it's not specifically part of this proposal. Electrification you know, we are going to need a lot of complementary [ indiscernible ]. Spoke about we need funding about the infrastructure but, also to help re-schooling and other things so that we can the supply chain back and the protection of batteries in such. We also really is to make sure that lowering the price of the vehicle and a consumer rebates considered before Congress would be very helpful. Especially the fact that it's incentivizing goods because the reality is the jobs in the auto industry is just not going to end up with the cost of living. Jobs overall as they used to be. The only other thing I just want to add is that we have to, this has to be a concerted government effort. This is a big transition and we do it altogether. Thank you very much. 
 Thank you Josh. Our next speaker will be Scott Hochberg at the Center for biological diversity. Scott, if you can accept the camera request enter your microphone on. Wonderful. 
 Hi, good morning. My name is Scott Hochberg and I'm a staff attorney for the center of biological diversity. The center is a national nonprofit conservation organization and its climate Law Institute works to protect people, wildlife and ecosystems from climate change throughput fossil fuel should. Since taking office Pres. Biden has vowed to meet the urgent demands of the climate crisis through a clean energy revolution. He was right about one thing. We are indeed in a crisis and the term urgent is an understatement. The summer of 2021 has shaped up to be one of the hottest on record with climate change contributing to severe drought and wildfires across the globe. Extreme flooding in Europe and China and deadly heat waves in the Pacific Northwest. The time for half measures is sadly over. This rule represents NHTSA biggest chance to actualize the president's commitment.  What was needed at the very least was returned to the Obama standards and model year 2024 and 7% annual drop in admissions to make up for lost time under the disastrous phase 2 rule. NHTSA's proposal does not return to the Obama standard Intel later despite the  automakers have had almost a decade to prepare for those rules. Automakers already have the technology to provide the Obama standards. But without strong regulatory action from NHTSA they simply won't.  NHTSA describes an alternative three proposal which is closer to the mark which includes  slightly stronger standards. Alternative three is feasible given nine years of notice automakers have had to prepare. The commitment of several of them to the California framework and the urgent need to ensure maximum fuel efficiency and conservation of energy which in turn helps to slow climate change. Even alternative three fall short of what is needed to meet the country's commitment to address climate emergency. Instead NHTSA should strengthen alternative  three proposal even further. By limiting the loophole and enacting tighter stringent accident actions to set us on a path by 2020. A code red wake-up call to the world. NHTSA needs to toughen this proposal to make it up to the challenge.  Thank you. 
 Thank you Scott. Our next speaker will be John with growth energy. John, if you can accept the camera request enter your microphone on. 
 There I am, okay.? Everybody. Thanks again for the opportunity to testify today. My name is John and I am the vice president of government affairs and growth energy. Growth energy is the world's largest association of biofuels solutions. We are committed to minimize. While new light-duty technologies will indeed expand multiple studies show that liquid fuels will continue to play a dominant role in the transportation sector for decades to come. It is important to expand that role of environmentally sustainable fuel options like ethanol to ensure that we have the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from current and future vehicles. Ethanol is an available and affordable means to immediately D carbon eight comedy carbonized fuel supply. Recent data from the H&E so today's corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 46% compared to gasoline and can provide reductions of up to 70% with the use of readily available technologies. Using higher concentrations of ethanol lowers the carbon intensity of vehicle [ indiscernible ]. Today E 15 is approved for all 2001 and newer vehicles more than 95%. One recent study found that by moving the 15 nationwide we can immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 17 million tons. The equivalent of taking nearly 4 million cars off the road. It is imperative to consider the benefits of using hot, high-octane, low carbon fuels to make engines more efficient. The science supporting the benefits of high-octane, low carbon mid-level blend in conjunction with high compression engine is not new and has been well explored by the national [ indiscernible ] automobile benefactors and other scientific [ indiscernible ]. To achieve these of the important benefits we urge NHTSA working with EPA to provide strong and clear policy to encourage the octave , the adoption of high-octane low ethanol. EPA should take action such as encouraging the use of blends like E 15 and E 85 in today's vehicle fleet. EPA and NHTSA should require a minimum octane [ indiscernible ]. Higher octane fuels give automakers greater flexibility when  meeting the proposed standards. EPA should approve a high octane mid-level fuel for vehicle certification such as 100 [ indiscernible ] such as the 100 Ron E 30 that growth energy first proposed in 2012. EPA and NHTSA should work together to reestablish credits for the production of flex fuel vehicles ,  flex fuel vehicles. NHTSA should work with EPA to ensure small strong volumes  for the RFS for 2021, 2022 and into the future. To encourage the use of low carbon biofuels. Finally we would reiterate the call NEPA to provide a solution on RBP for ultimate blends. Thanks again and I'll be happy to answer any questions. 
 Thank you John. Before we move on to the next speaker I would like to send a reminder to anyone who has logged in and scheduled to speak, would you please send us a message through the questions pain let us know that you are ready and we will then send a request when it is your time to speak. Now, our next speaker will be Jennifer crochet. Okay Jennifer if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. And, I see you in the panel, there your. If you just click on the red microphone. It's in the go to webinar pain. It should be a red microphone with a slash through it if you click on that it will turn your microphone on. Upper right part of your screen. 
 I got a, can you me now? I apologize. 
 No problem. 
 Okay. Thank you so much. I appreciate the opportunity to speak. My name is Jennifer roach and I am a private citizen speaking to you today from Illinois. And the mom of two, lover the ocean entries and I'm currently shopping for and after our Subaru outback and decided to call it quits. While my desire to buy and [ indiscernible ] one action to lowering emissions another higher fuel efficiency standards anxiety simply to reduce the fuel cost. These individual actions must be repeated over and over and over for us to restore our plan itself. The opportunity to encourage, to encourage better policy at large motivates me to be here today and to ask each of you to be relentless in using your power to promote the common good. The threat of carbon emissions affects your family and mind by introducing extreme weather patterns, causing economic uncertainty and bringing our planet to verging on inhabitable. These impacts as occurred today and likely are being felt right now and especially so by black and indigenous communities and low [ indiscernible ] communities to experience higher rates of asthma and respiratory illness. Something that should also alarm us and motivate us to act quickly. What an exciting and powerful [ indiscernible ] to enjoy. You get to make tangible, positive change on the scale we need in the face of the enormous threat carbon emissions pose. Your policy decisions can change lives and the planet because higher fuel efficiency standards work to drive down emissions. I urge you to be relentless and ambitious in your pursuit of reducing emissions through making our cars and light duty trucks cleaner and more efficient. Americans are counting on NHTSA to act boldly and now.  Bank you so much. Thank you so much. 
 Thank you Jennifer. Our next speaker will be Ned Simon. Ned if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. Okay, we can see you but, we cannot hear you. 
 How is that? Be McCleary are. 
 Hi. I am Ned Simon talking to you from my home in Nashville North Carolina in support of alternative [ indiscernible ]. I am approaching 75 years old, retired less than a year ago with over 50 years as an electrical engineer. Husband of 47 years, father of two and grandfather of three. We [ indiscernible ] for three years as our primary vehicle and we also had a come conventional internal combustion engine second car. While I see the future as electric gasoline power will still be in substantial use for many decades. My career was in the design production automation and testing of low-voltage [ indiscernible ] the equivalent of that powers hospitals, data centers, water plants and all large plants. Switchgear protects against the effects of short-circuits and the critical applications also detects power loss in switches over to a generator. To keep the lights on, keep the process moving and provide public safety. It's big, expensive, plays an important role but, hardly anyone ever sees it. It's locked-in electrical vaults out of the public's eye and attention. Even when it is done its job, hardly anyone knows about it. My reason for speaking with you today is not to delve into the science or the technology of autos or the environment. That is not my field of expertise. My reason is to reach out to you at a level we actually have in common. Quite simply that the decisions we make have implications well beyond ourselves. In my case the design decisions I make good affect the customer and the people that entity serves. My scope feels pales in the face of the hundreds of millions your decisions can affect. While our decision ultimately affect others yours literally affects all of us. Everyone now living in those that will not be born for decades. That awesome power is reserved for very few. You are among those select few. The decision each of you will make on this issue will write a significant chapter in her life story. In the evening of the day you commit to this decision you will lie in bed a few minutes as a day's events briefly/your mind. That decision could become a source of great pride, great comfort and great satisfaction. Pride, that you chose bold action for the greater good. Comfort that your friends and family will live better because of it. Satisfaction while almost no one will know your name, what you did on that day will make life better for all of us. Your family will know, your children and their children will hear your story. My intent today is only to help ground you in the satisfaction of being a little-known factor in the quality of lives you will never know. Good day, stay well, thank you for the privilege of addressing the support of Alterman, alternative three with you. 
 Thank you Ned. Now, is Mark Hardin available? Mark if you are logged in please send us a message to the questions panel. There you are. Mark, you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. On the upper right corner there there is a red microphone, if you click on that, there your. 
 Can you hear me? 
 Yes we can. 
 Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I'm Mark Hardin I'm testifying as a private citizen would from Portland Oregon. I support the administration's initiative for cleaner cars and I urge you to adopt your third proposed alternative if not something even stronger. We need cleaner cars, I want to do my part. I bought at Toyota prees in 2003 and I now want to get an electric car. I would like to be able to of find an affordable one. And do have choices of make and model. Tougher corporate average fuel economy standards will help make that possible. But, mostly I'm here because I am worried about global climate change and because the future of my daughter and grandchildren and others like them are at stake. I'm haunted by the terrible future they could be facing. I hope we have not passed the point of no return. I hope that we of the rest of the world can still prevent the worst. Strengthening the corporate average fuel economy standards is a key step in dealing with climate change. Motor vehicles are responsible for a big share of carbon emissions and the current truck makers won't move quickly enough to reduce their emissions unless there are government requirements. The biggest producers have improved their vehicles mileage only under government pressure and we need to ramp up that pressure. Consumers like me for their product want to buy cleaner vehicles only when buying them is in their economic interest. The more federal pressure there is to improve mileage, the more electric vehicles will be produced and as a result the more inexpensive electric cars will become due to the economy scale. I know that including these standards won't in of itself slower or reverse climate change when other countries need to do a lot more. The United States leadership still counts in the world and sharply raising the standards will certainly help. Thank you. 
 Thank you Mark. At this time it appears her next speaker, speaker has not yet arrived. So we will take a brief break for a couple minutes. 
 [ Captioner Standing By ] 
 Again, if there is anyone who is on the call right now and would like to speak please send us a message through the question pain. Welcome back. Our next speaker will be Johanna Thompson. Joanna if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Can you hear me now? 
 We can. 
 Thank you. My name is Donna Thompson, I'm a 72-year-old retired math teacher from Livermore California. What keeps me up in the wee hours of the morning are the effects of climate change on the life to sustain human and living species for the millennium. As the earth suffers from the fire and flooding facing extinction [ indiscernible ] it seems to me that it is our moral duty to stop doing the things that harm our planet. I have a 21-year-old Camry with 79,000 miles but I drive as little as possible because I want to minimize my contribution to climate change. Unfortunate not to need a car very much for transportation. Even when I was working my job was to miles from my home. And easy walking or biking distance. Most people are not as lucky as fuel-efficient cars are a necessity if we want to give people the transportation they need for their lives while minimizing the harm to the planet. Automakers must be required to make those fuel-efficient cars. We cannot rely on their goodness of heart. Increasing fuel efficiency standards help us to serve the fossil fuel as we transfer to fossil free energy. Every gallon we conserve is a gallon that will stay in the ground not polluting the air. I implore you for all our seeks to adopt at least alternative three to set the strongest fuel economy standards as possible. Thank you. 
 Thank you Joe Hana. Our next speaker will be George. George if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Good afternoon, I think it's good afternoon where you guys are in Southern California so not yet there. Bank you for having me. My name is George. I am here today as a private citizen. I work, I'm an engineer and work for Western here in Southern California. I support swift action on clean vehicles and urged NHTSA to adopt the most stringent standards  possible in order to deliver economical benefits to everyone on the entire planet. I think we have an opportunity as leaders, all of us baby boomers who took advantage of fossil fuel benefits, economically and every other way, it's time for us to be leaders and show what we can do once again. So, my biggest concern obviously all of us who are seniors, we are concerned about her legacy. As Ned and others have said, Ned did a great job, by the way, thank you Ned. Were concerned about the legacy we are going to leave. We want our children and grandchildren to thrive. Is going to be difficult to thrive when you're dealing with health issues and some speakers have mentioned. You are also dealing with extreme weather and its aftereffects of you know personal, physical and economic. Those include medical cost, increase costs of to address more disasters, dressed's place family due to climate change, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. You guys I'm sure are aware of all the impacts. Lastly, you know for the last 100 years the United States have been leaders in the industrial revolution and we continue to be leaders. I think it's time to step up and show the world that we can be leaders in this transformation from a carbon-based economy to the renewable economy and show that we can build new jobs, create new jobs, build a better economy, build a better future, build a better environment. We can do that. It's our time to show that we can, the leaders in the world. So, bottom line, please NHTSA adopt stringent  standards which will lower emissions, let's make a difference and show the world and her children the leadership we are capable of. Thank you for your time. 
 Thank you. Before I move onto the next speaker if Dean Wang, James, Rick Kasdan Eddie Sadowski, Michael Pann Palmatier [ indiscernible ] and Jimmy Churchill, if these individuals are logged in please send us a message through the question panel so that we can get you ready to give your oral comments. Also, if there's anyone who is logged and who is currently logged in and would like to give their comments as well please contact us a through the question panel so that we can get you ready to give your comments. Our next speaker will be Michael Vitelli of the Union of concerned scientists. Michael, if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. I see you in the panel. If you can click on the red microphone 
 Can you hear me now? 
 I can you come yes we can hear you. 
 Okay, thank you, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. I am Michael a retired teacher from Georgia. I am speaking as a member of the union of concerned scientists. I live in a state that has, let us say a lax attitude towards environmental regulations. Therefore it is important to me that the federal standards are tough, leave little room for interpretation and have a calf pupils. I am glad to see that you are chosen to undo the Trump administration rollback of CAFE standards for vehicles made through  2026. However, given the scale of climate crisis the new standards should be much stronger. They should be at least as strong as the standards that were finalized under Pres. Obama. Unfortunately the proposed standards are weaker than the Obama era rules. I strongly urge you to adopt at least the more stranger alternative three and reduce the flexibility that are given to the automakers. To ensure that they make and market more electric vehicles and gasoline powered vehicles that are much more efficient. With very high gas prices right now all Americans are hit in the pocketbook due to weak corporate average fuel standards. I been driving efficient standard, hybrids for 20 years now. I know firsthand that doubter makers can make these. There been many years of experience to make them even better. I bought a new 2001 prees owned it until 2016 when I replaced it with the Chevy volt. By wife bought a new prees in 2005. All three cars have been very efficient, clean, quiet, reliable and amazingly [ indiscernible ]. Do too little in the way of carrots and sticks from the government my 2001 prees got essentially the GATT same gas mileage is the 2021 prees and better mileage than the volt operating in hybrid mode. Unfortunately because my wife owns and trailers horses we also own a pickup truck that gets horrible gas mileage and is loud and smelly meaning it is highly polluting. So, while automakers can make clean, efficient vehicles they often do not do so. Automakers need incentives to continue making and improving upon hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all electric vehicles. They need to be steered in the direction of replacing their highly inefficient cleaner vehicles. Strong CAFE standards provide an incentive to do a better job.  Some, finally note that these meetings are being held virtually because we are in the midst of a pandemic. One thing we have learned is that air pollution is known to exacerbate the effects of Covid. Clearly now is the time to make our air quality better through stronger CAFE standards for vehicles. Thank you.  
 Thank you Michael. Our next speaker will be Jenny Churchill. Jenny, if you could accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 And you me? 
 Yes. 
 Okay. Good afternoon and thank you for hearing my testimony today. My name is Jenny Churchill and I'm speaking to you as a psychologist, as a mother to two hard-working daughters and as a grandmother to two beautiful and joyful little boys. I am speaking to you as yet another citizen desperate for the kind of groundbreaking changes we know are needed to reduce our destruction of the climate and the environment that we depend on for survival. The human brain is not wired to see something abstract like climate change is an immediate threat. That's why many people put it out of mind is something to be dealt with in the future. But, you do not have that luxury. There is no more future for us to wait for. We humans like to think we are smarter than all the other life forms on earth. But, are we smarter? The bacteria in the Petri dish will happily eat up their resources as the population grows exponentially. They will not stop until suddenly the population doubles for the last time and there is no food left. Because they are not capable of reining themselves in their population plovers 20. If the PG dish was a planet [ indiscernible ] to extension. But, we are smarter the bacteria are we. Countless civilizations before us have fallen because they used up and destroyed the environment they depend on for survival. But, we are smarter now, are we? It's issues like the one we are discussing today and people exactly like you who will decide if we are smarter. Whether or not you feel that there is a huge weight on your shoulders. Is the weight of civilization as we know. In fact the weight of all sentient life on earth. Most of us in the condition to change little other than her individual impact on this world. You are among the few that are actually in a position to do something about climate change. It can make a significant difference. Please, be brave and bold, do not worry about damage to the economy or his two big corporate profits. Those probably won't have the luxury of caring about if we do not protect civilization from the more devastating breakdowns that unmitigated climate change will cause. So, please feel the burgeon, feel the urgency and make the right decision so that my beautiful grandchildren and yours will have a livable planet when they grow up. Please, make the stricter standards possible with no loopholes and enact them as soon as possible. Thank you for your time. 
 Thank you Jenny. Next, I will call on the following individuals who are scheduled to give comments during this panel. If you hear your name and you are ready to give your comments please send us a message through the questions pane letting us know that you are ready. Dean Wang, James, Rick Gaston, Eddie Sadowski, Michael, Bo Buscher, and surely Freer's and. Again if you heard your name and you are ready to speak please send us a message through the question pane letting us know you are ready. Okay. This will conclude this panel and we will go on break until 12:50 8 PM. Thank you. 
 [ Captioner is transitioning ]May 
 [Captioner standing by] 
 Welcome back. Before next speaker begins I would like to welcome our next group of NHTSA representatives will be  on camera to listen to the comments.. We have Sierra engineer office of fuel economy programs,  NHTSA.  Hannah fish attorney advisor,  NHTSA . And Bahman Habibzadeh. Our first speaker  will be Stephen Wyman , evolving electric motor company. If you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Can you hear me now? 
 We can. 
 I created a company evolving electric motor company to pursue the full series hybrid electric vehicles specifically and having included the skate board as an and taught technology. The company with this idea for significantly reducing greenhouse gas issues from all matter vehicles using as a mission technology. There are only two examples of the proposed technology out in the world today. There are specified later in the presentation. I contacted multiple folks along the way about one is to be done before you can run all vehicles on electricity. To get the idea converted closer to all gas and diesel sales on any given day in the USA and then convert those two watts. They were requiring an enormous amount of electricity and the infrastructure to to arts to be used. The TV he uses con facilities for fuel production sales to keep the nation the world moving while the affirmation infrastructure is created and meet in the meantime introduces the few by over 60%. For example the for the time reconnaissance surveillance and targeting vehicles from General Dynamics is comparable to the hum of the. It has a 2.5 liter turbocharged diesel internal combustion engine that gets about 20 miles per gallon. And then there is the Nissan OD power that gets almost 80 miles per gallon of gasoline. Here's how to get there. First, as mentioned the full series hybrid electric vehicles and this technology can skill from the smallest to the largest of vehicles in use today. Second, the skateboard. 100 carriage allows larger battery capacity and the technology needs to be applied to the Ford F1 50 lightning as well as being planned in a useful of battery electric vehicles in the skipper can also be used in buses and trucks euros and cars and racial vehicles. And third regenerative braking could be applied to all axes and the associated motor generator could also help heavy vehicles climb hills. And moving cars on the road and tractor-trailers about shipping and receiving docs. Fourth, solar moves of solar panels could be especially useful for train cars, tractor-trailers, buses and RVs. It is clear that without specific defined and regulated direction from government vehicle manufacturers are more inclined to respond to pressure from powerful voices and industries that want to maximize profits from oil and gas products for as long as is possible.  Consequences be .  Climate change will not kill the planet but it can destroy the earth ability to support human life. Thank you for the opportunity to express my message and her progress in saving a habitable world for generations to come. 
 Thank you, Stephen. Our next speaker is Barin Kulkarni . If you can click on the red microphone to turn your microphone on. 
 I believe it is on now. 
 Can you hear me? Great. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to talk. My name is Barin Kulkarni, a private citizen living in Dallas, Texas . I work in information technology. I believe that it is essential not only on humans but all the species. This planet has witnessed diverse life but has evolved for millions of years. Humans have created the greatest impact good or bad and it is over our duty to preserve this planet to the best of our abilities. Or else everyone future is at stake. I support swift action clean cars and also urged NHTSA  which would deliver greater savings to consumers. We are at least one or perhaps to my generations away from completely switching from fossil fuels to renewable energies with stronger regulations, car and truck manufacturers will be mandated to make vehicles with alter high-efficiency engines and aerodynamic designs that uses less fossil fuels. This will reduce the impact on our environment and a car owner will spend less on gas. But such cars also need to be reasonably priced for our middle-class consumers. Here I would like to share my personal experience. I have a 2000 year midsize car that used to be about per gallon. In 2004 he bought our second car again a mixed site size so then which gave 22 miles. In 2012 my wife and I decided to buy a midsize hybrid car which we still own and it gives about 29, 30 miles per gallon. You can see that technology has evolved in approving fuel efficiency and the same will hold true for future. Just a few days ago I went that a modern car recently gave it on 45 miles on a single time hydrogen fuel. That is really amazing. But I hope such car and fuel are affordable to our pockets. We make it innovative things possible for the greater good of society and I requested the agency to sell the highest fuel efficiency standards, car and trucks would more and more mileage and cleaner energy admissions benefit not just society but the planet itself. I requested reinstate the Obama Biden federal standards with your -- thank you for give me an opportunity to express my  feelings. 
 Thank you. Our next speaker will be James. 
 Can you hear me? 
 If you would like you can accept the camera request. 
 Here we are. Excellent. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Jim and I'm here today is a private citizen. I appreciate the support this administration swift action on clean vehicles and I urge NHTSA  to adopt the third or the 10% alternative to the proposed CAFE standards.  I do that because it would deliver the greatest savings to the consumers can't promise a healthier and safer planet for all of us. I'm 82 years old and I have driven many cars over the years. Since 2005 have driven previous is and my wife and I have put nearly 260,000 miles on three of them. Our original 2005 was just under 200,000 miles and is still used a daily. This decision was based on gas mileage and a markedly lower CO2 emission that these hybrid vehicles provide. By driving previous is we saved more than $10,000 in gasoline costs alone. And we avoided more than 40 metric tons of CO2 over driving even the most economical of conventional cars. Now I'm a geologist. More than 23 years ago I began developing a series of government-funded, regional research projects in geologic carbon storage. I was doing this as a method to mitigate climate change. Carbon storage is a climate change mitigation strategy has been an interesting and challenging research emphasis for me as a geologist but it is even more important to me personally, as a father, grandfather, and a great-grandfather who wishes to help alleviate the ongoing climate crisis. I'm interested in this not only for my family but for all of our families in our world. Once again, I urge you to restore both climate and consumer saving benefits by using NHTSA's  alternative three of the CAFE standards.  We all need to do everything possible as quickly as possible because of the window for effective climate change action is quickly closing. Delay threatens life on our planet. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to testify today. 
 Thank you, James. Our next speaker will be Patricia Keith with the climate committee of the Rochester. 
 Yes. Thank you for this opportunity to testify. I name is Patricia Keefe and I'm  here as a member of the climate committee for the sisters of St. Francis and Rochester, Minnesota. I strongly support this administration's swift action on clean cars and I urge that ministration to adopt the third alternative which will go further in cutting pollution and helping consumers. My major reason for testifying is caring for mother Earth by cutting down on pollution. Fortunately Minnesota has adopted clean car rules after California has had that for many years. Minnesota clean rules were recommended by the Minnesota agency and can be found in the stage register and my convocation has experienced with hybrid cars and the we had to my previous cars for the last decade or so and we have need for efficient drug regulations because our maintenance and our property requires ever light cars. There's a strong support among consumers and automakers should continue to improve fuel economy for all vehicle types. Strong rules are needed because automakers will not provide increased fuel efficient options unless required by regulators. The technology is available as we learned during the Obama/Biden years and alternatively, we fully restore those benefits and go further quickly as possible. Refrain back to Minnesota and it's clean car rules Minnesota's governor recently signed a memorandum of understanding that the governors of Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin and in it the governors of the Midwest states that borders interstates 90 and 94 agreed to provide the foundation for cooperation of electrification of key commercial orders and save cart economic security and future interstate commerce and reduce harmful emissions and protect public health and advanced innovation. We are making sure as you speak that ministration alternative will move in the direction needed for the future that's happening right now. Thank you very much for the opportunity to testify. 
 Thank you, Patricia. Before I move on to the next speaker if the following individuals are logged in and are ready to speak, please send us a message to the question pain and let us know. Frederick Miller, Jason Sherman, and Jeffrey Axelrod. If you are logged in and are ready to speak please send us a message to the questions pain. Our next speaker. If you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Can you hear me now? Thank you. I know it's a busy day for you. I'm a classical musician weaving in Denver, Colorado program here today as a private citizen. As most of you know historically the United States of America has been the biggest carbon emitter in the world. In a single year the average American uses double the energy of the average European and four times the energy of the average Chinese person that is according to the international energy agency. I cannot ignore the wasteful attitude of most Americans towards energy. The driving of enormous fuel inefficient SUVs and trucks is a rampant on American roads. The requiring much stricter fuel efficiency standards will save Americans money and will save human life through toxic emissions and will benefit majority of the American economy. Fuel efficiency standards have improved dramatically already in places like the EU, Japan, and South Korea. The same car manufacturers which are trying to convince us that much better fuel economy is impossible or very expensive to achieve are also selling vehicles on those markets and similar prices. You should ask the CO how this is possible they are not possible here. Please adopt a alternative of your plan to the strictest of standards and this is the least you should do in my opinion.'s this will make less polluting vehicles quicker. In future generations they will never forgive us if we keep tracking our feet and with for carbon emissions and air quality to get better on their own. Thank you. 
 
 Thank you. It is a little early but if Tom is logged in and available please send us a message. Tom, please. Good afternoon. Can you hear me? Hopefully the WebCam is working. I'm here thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I'm the senior environment the policy advisor and where our mission is to keep the world adventurous forever. It's an been US-based EV only one fracture building electric vehicles including our R1 ER one is selected the vehicle and there regulated under the CAFE program and together with the delivery van will display some of the largest  least fuel-efficient vehicles on the road with all electric options. We appreciate this provision of the federal CAFE standards  and course correcting this regulation is no easy task for the CAFE program has been  the U.S. energy policy for decades and its importance to the industry and the economy and energy security and the environment cannot be overstated. Strengthening the CAFE standards of proposed rulemaking takes a step in the right direction we particularly appreciate certain aspects of the analysis  to model the impact on the state-level mandates. Overall we welcome standards that require efficiency improvements and we are indoors alternative three as the maximum feasible alternative encourage to take steps to strengthen its analysis and proposal yet further. Our primary recognition includes the following. Number 1, do not revise complies attendances for strong hybrid or performing trucks. Electric trucks downmarket will soon launch to these incentives are no longer needed. Moreover hybridization in particular is not a true and go end game. Incentives for such is insufficient in reducing fossil fuel use. Number 2 commentator current On off cycle. Limiting the compliance values will make sure it's up to the great is the extent possible. That will deliver step function increase in fuel economy. Number 3 ensure that the continued relevant within your precious setting standards. The congressional actions specifically broadened the review and the agency should develop able to activate standard that accounts for market development vehicles electrification and while it's likely infeasible to implement such a change in this rulemaking they do believe that the development of the limitation can take effect later in the decade and making sure they continue on their CAFE in the future. Ultimately NHTSA points out that a lot has changed  in the industry in recent months and years. Auto makers are making a bold commitment to deliver more higher fuel economy electric models and this is of course feasible and needs to advance. Let's try fuel saving and job creation forward in the U.S. the building what we have already started. We asked adopt alternative three without additional compliance possibilities. Thank you so much. 
 If you are logged in and ready to speak please contact us through the questions pain. Seems the next scheduled speaker has not yet arrived so we will take a brief break and we will return. 
 [Captioner standing by] Before we go to our next speaker if the following individuals are logged on and ready to speak, would you please use your question pain and contact us to let us know that you are here. Frederick Miller, Jason Sherman, Jeffrey Axelrod, Frank Brenda and Greg Site Nick. If you're currently logged on please contact us through the question pain. Our next speaker will be Noah. 
 We need you to just click on the red microphone in the go to webinar panel. There you go. 
 Good morning and thank you. My name is no one of the manager of the transportation team. I'm testifying today on behalf of Carol Lee Ron senior director transportation. Recorded the business for individual climate and energy policy network a coalition of over 70 major businesses and we also coordinate the investor network which includes 175 members would collectively $30 trillion in assets. We also coordinate the corporate electric vehicle alliance. These numbers collectively operate over 1 million vehicles in the U.S. alone and represent over $1 trillion in annual revenue. I'm here today to testify in support of adopting at the very least NHTSA most stringent alternative  or, alternative three. The U.S. ability to make climate goals in the future competitiveness of the U.S. auto industry are both contingent on strong vehicle standards and a rapid shift to low emission vehicles and electrification it's critical that the fuel economy regulations reflect this by adopting standards that at least as stringent as alternative three. Our companies and investors in climate change has a significant rest in reducing greenhouse gases is a major economic opportunity. The recent analysis commissioned by us and produced by independent automotive industry analysts found that alternative three will benefit U.S. auto industry particularly suppliers who would see up to 16 point billion dollars more in profit on the alternative three. Noted that our analysis did not assume credits. Further, alternative three will make auto makers more globally competitive and would reduce the risk in the event the fuel price spikes. Alternative three would especially benefit auto suppliers which account for about 70% of auto industry jobs. And will also benefit by increasing economies of scale and include vehicle production and would help would you's Ottoman fractures to meeting future federal requirements and their own EV goals for 2030. Weeks standards would undermine the U.S. auto industry global competitiveness in the auto industry will not be aligned with global market demand without strong standards to drive investment and who are fuel efficient vehicles and electrification. Robust standards will accelerate the cost-effective the point of fuel efficient commercial vehicles, allow our members to meet financial and climate goals and significantly reduce fuel costs for businesses and consumers. Thus we urge NHTSA to adopt standards  at least as stringent as alternative 3. We also strongly urge at the next round of standards is aligned with climate goals by ensuring at least 50% EV sales and more than 60% reduction of emissions from today's chief compliance value by 2030. Tank you for your time. 
 [Captioners Transitioning] 
Thank you Noah pick her next speaker will be John with the union of concerned scientists. Dr. Boda if you could accept the camera request and your microphone is off. 
 Very good. Thanks to this opportunity for input. My name is John Bodine I'm a private citizen in Naperville Illinois. Retired from his 20 year oil and gas expiration career as a GFD physics theater physicist. Ivana over the last 20 years. I have a deep concern that we are not acting with enough urgency to stop and reverse the effect of climate change. I'm concerned that the appropriate actions to avoid the most extreme effects of climate change continue be sidelined by commercial and political interest. I believe we are truly facing a global catastrophe if we fail to curb CO2 emissions and damaging effects of wanton [ indiscernible ] industries. We are already seeing blood in coastal cities, while fares destroying forcing communities, tremendous [ indiscernible ] from atmosphere keep. Agriculture so that will impact pressured water. Without urgent and aggressive action. I'm glad to see that you have chosen to undo the Trump administration rollback of clean-air standards for vehicles made from 2021 to 2026. However, given the scale of the climate crisis the new standard should be much stronger, they should be at least as strong as the standards that were finalized under Pres. Obama. Unfortunately the proposed standards do not compel automakers to make the most efficient cars that they can. It will also slow the transition to electric vehicles. Other first world economies are racing ahead with the understanding of what is at stake. The American public is poised to make the shift. We could do this. I strongly urge you to adopt the more stringent alternative put forward in the rule that will reduce the flexibility sitter given automakers. We must ensure that they make and market more electric vehicles that gasoline powered vehicles produced in the interim are much, much more efficient. I want my grandchildren, grandkids the future. Thank you. 
 Thank you Dr. Bodine. Our next speaker will be Marcia Buck of the Union of concerned scientists. Marsh if you could accept the camera request into your microphone on. By clicking on the red microphone icon. There your. 
 Did that do it? 
 We can hear you. 
 And you cannot see me? 
 We cannot but if you would just like to give you oral testimony that is fine. 
 How do I make it so you can see me? There it is, thank you. My name is Marcia buck and I am here today as a private citizen who lives in Juneau Alaska. The small city with the highest per capita rate of electric car ownership for a city of its size in the United States. I have owned electric cars since 2013 and before that I was the first owner of a previous in Juneau. I am grateful for this administration for acting swiftly on clean cars but, I urge you to create the strongest possible fuel economy standards for vehicles. Such as those found in alternative three and the proposed rules. I'm testifying today because I am deeply concerned about the climate crisis. I know that public health and therefore the health of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren depends on the elimination of vehicle pollution and increased innovation in the electrification of the transportation sector. As you may know a Consumer Reports survey recently found that 94% of Americans planning to buy a car in the next two years stated that fuel economy is what is important to them. The fuel economy of my electric car is outstanding. I look forward to the day in the near future when all cities in the U.S. have the same high per capita rate of electric vehicle use and robust infrastructure, restarting stations that Juneau now supports. Once again I urge this administration to set the strongest clean car standards possible. I realize some of the proposed standards are full of leap, loopholes that will allow automakers to slow the transition to electric vehicles. I urge you to go back to at least the Obama federal standards and perhaps improve on those. To ensure that automakers make and market more electric vehicles. In closing I would like to point out how important the clean car standards are and how important this hearing feels to me by paraphrasing author Paul Hawkins when he wrote the agent who can head off the climate crisis is listing, listening to this testimony. Thank you for this opportunity to testify. 
 Thank you Marcia. Our next speaker will be Julia McAdoo with the union of concerned scientists. I apologize Julia McAdoo I'm sorry. We can see you. If you click on the red icon, there your. 
 Can you see and hear me? 
 We can see and hear you now. 
 Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Julia McAdoo and I am here today as a concerned and alarmed citizen. I'm a retired elementary school teacher and New England farmer. Concerned with fuel economy standards is primarily concerned for the health of the environment. Which is why I support the union of concerned scientists and depend on their expertise, research, data, and evidence to inform my understanding of climate science. I am alarmed because my family now experiences at home firsthand many days in the summer months of June, July, and August when it is too hot to work outside on her New Hampshire farm. I am alarmed because we have been concerned since 2015 to Somers of caustic bacteria and algae blooms on the bonds that we use for irrigation. Likely due to increased temperatures. I never saw that phenomenon in my previous 45 years here. I am alarmed because according to official data from [ indiscernible ] Michigan, mitigation strategy the summers of 2018 and 2020 sought drought and severe drought conditions impacting wells, and crop production. Our own wells ran dry. Despite his recent droughts this summer 2021 we were they loosed with persistent heavy rain and flooding. Usually are reliably dry month as the West Coast fires burned. I think it's fair to say things have changed and whether events have become more severe and less predictable. When I was in fifth grade my science teacher taught us just a few things but, in-depth. One of the topics was exactly how the internal combustion engine works. That was 56 years ago and those same engines there propelling our cars, still fueled by gas and diesel. It is past time for improvement. Are shortsightedness and dependency on oil are wreaking havoc. Knowing that vehicle emissions are a major source of pollution and climate change makes it clear that better fuel economy and the development of clean car technology are necessary. To avoid dire health, agriculture and environmental consequences I urge you to ensure adopting fuel standards. Please keep the clean car standards that were originally designed. There are solutions that persistent problems by the internal combustion engine. One of the mandatory projects my wise and wonderful science teacher Ricard of all students was to build a simple battery. Maybe he was onto something. Thank you for this opportunity to testify. 
 Thank you Julia. Our next speaker will be Dr. Linda with the union of concerned scientists. Dr. Singerman if you could accept the camera request, I believe, we can see and hear you now. 
 Your microphone is on but, we cannot hear you. Would you happen to have a mute button on your headset or --. [ indiscernible ] or Ben can you possibly assist Dr. Singerman. 
 Yes if you go to the audio pane and you go to webinar control panel and in the audio pane if you could select the correct headset and correct device. Do you see the drop downs in the audio section. 
 Is this better? We're there we go. 
 Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. Take you for acting swiftly for cleaner cars. I'm Dr. Linda Singerman I'm a retired internal medicine physician who lives on the coast of Florida. As a member of the union of concerned scientists I encourage you to create more stringent fuel economy standards for vehicles. Reduce our oil usage to ensure energy security for the future. Transportation accounts for 70% of all oil used in the United States. It's imperative that transportation lead the way to decreasing U.S. dependency on oil. While it is becoming more costly as is becoming more difficult to obtain is a finite resource. Is becoming more dangerous for workers as well as for the environment to extract from the ground. Well will only increase in price. I believe there will come a time when it will become too costly to extract. I don't know that this will happen in my lifetime but, in my grandchildren's lifetime I think definitely. Decreasing our dependency on oil should be a priority to the U.S. if we wish to continue to be the first world nation and to lead other nations. I don't think industry will voluntarily increase fuel standards for vehicles as rapidly as needed for the U.S. to continue to be fuel independent. Even though they have the technology to do so. I don't think the auto industry is anti-American, but, I think the pressure to ensure their profits outweighs their cost to the U.S. transportation market to be oil independent. I drive a hybrid. I paid more upfront but have greatly decreased gas and maintenance cost as well as my contribution to decreased pollution. Consumer Reports survey found 95%, 94% that is almost 100% of Americans said that fuel economy is important when buying or leasing a vehicle in the next couple of years. Your actions to reduce our dependency on oil, increasing fuel economy standards is vital for our economic health and are standing in the world. It is only one action but, a very important action. It may be extensive now but is much cheaper than trying to deal with the economic disaster of being unprepared when oil is gone. Much like medicine preventing disease, energy insecurity is much cheaper than treating disease, energy insecurity. I urge you to take steps now to protect, prevent an economic disaster. Thank you for this opportunity to speak. 
 Thank you Dr. Singerman. Our next speaker will be Beth Karp with the union of concerned scientists. Beth, if you can accept the camera request. 
 Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Beth Karp and I'm speaking as a private citizen I live in Boulder Colorado. I'm very concerned about air quality and climate change. I urge you to adopt fuel efficiency standards at least as strong as the Obama era standards and hopefully stronger because we are all seen the devastation and speed of climate change. I live about 35 miles from Denver where at one point last summer we had the worst air quality of any major city in the Western Hemisphere. Our air gets a triple whammy. First the directive auto omissions, the omissions contribute to climate change boosting temperatures to create more ozone in the air and third the high temperatures caused droughts that spread wildfires here and across the West. We get the smoke. The horrible air here is ironic. In earlier times Colorado was the place for tuberculosis patients came to live because of our healthy air. I grew up in Los Angeles in the 50s and 60s. Air quality was bad. I used to get out of breath in gym class. I left LA after high school and never went back there to live. I was excited when I moved to Colorado the air was good and I started hiking here. I still get out of breath on steep hills but usually managed with help from an inhaler. But, this summer was really bad. Most of the summer between smoke, heat, and ozone I didn't even want to walk in my neighborhood much less go hiking. I checked air-quality reports and got excited when it went to low instead of poor. Is climate change increases a triple whammy on her air will get worse and the many impacts all over the country and world will get worse also. Unless we take impactful steps like increasing fuel efficiency. We cannot rely on market forces or consumer preferences. I am retired but I worked in business for decades. Mostly an in-house lawyer for public companies. I was routinely involved in business decisions. I fundamentally decisions and public companies are driven by the goal of maximizing shareholder value and staying competitive to achieve that goal. Even when decision-makers want to consider broader impacts their decisions are constrained by these imperatives. When people make personal choices they are constrained by practicalities. They choose cars from available options and sticker price is a big factor even though gas guzzlers cost more in the long run. The government can make a difference. Setting requirements that all automakers must follow would free companies from competitive pressures to favor lower sticker prizes ever better fuel efficiency. It would give consumers meaningful options. I urge you to adopt the strongest possible fuel efficiency standards. Thank you very much. 
 Thank you Beth. Our next speaker will be Dr. Christopher Hale the union of concerned scientists. Dr. Hale if you can accept the camera please and turn on your microphone. 
 You Hermie? 
 Yes we can. 
 Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you. My name is Dr. Christopher Hale, I am an ER doctor working full time, working full-time through the Covid - 19 pandemic from the very beginning. The reason I am speaking with you is that despite the danger I face from Covid, the thing that really keeps me awake at night isn't the pandemic, it is the enormity of the crisis of climate change and the danger it poses to my two young children's future. Climate changes here right now. Is worsening rapidly. We see it in the ER every day. [ ENTERS ] for famous being wet and rainy and having a moderate climate. But, now every year we are hitting on Pres. high temperatures. Organ had 160 degrees this summer that is absolutely unheard of. When that happens people flood the ER with the stroke and other heat related illnesses. Some people die. With the ongoing drought across the United States there is no end in sight, uncontrolled wildfires are now the norm. For months every summer while tear smoke choked her air. The ER flooded with people young and old with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Long-term [ indiscernible ] is closely linked to small particle air pollution and it's only going to get worse. Last summer wildfires reached an outsource of programs. We watch, my family watch the evacuation orders getting closer and closer to our home. We had to pack her car with everything we needed to abandon her home in a moments notice. I told my family the evacuation order came also in the hospital. We leave behind and flee. I had to hunker down in the hospital and find a way to catch up with them later. Unless we act now and act boldly this is only going to worsen, rapidly worsen. With my colleagues and I entered the healthcare field we could scarcely imagine that at some point we would be at the absolute at the center of a historic worldwide threat. We did asked that responsibility but come it came to us nonetheless. The only choice we had was to be brave and do whatever it took even though it was uncomfortable. Now, you and the [ indiscernible ] are in the same position. I'm sure that when you started your career you never anticipated to be in a position which have a role in turning back unprecedented [ indiscernible ]. To your nonetheless. What I ask you to do what each of us in the healthcare field does. I ask you to be brave, be bold, rise up to the enormity of the challenge. I ask you to do everything in your power to save as many lies as possible and to be clear that is exactly what you have the opportunity right now to do and the responsibility to do. I asked the NHTSA about alternative three to create the strongest  possible fuel climate standards for vehicles and ensure there are no loopholes for vehicle manufacturers. I urge you to take bold steps possible to get us to a carbon neutral transportation system as soon as possible. History will look back at this moment and judge whether you rose to the occasion. Your decision will determine, will determine what kind of world we need for our children. This may be the most impactful decision you make in your lives. I urge you to make the right decision for humanity and for the world. 
 Thank you Dr. Hale. At this time if the following individuals are connected and would like to speak please contact us through the questions pane. Frederick Miller, Jason Sherman, Jeffrey Axelrod, Frank Granda, Greg Czarnik, Mindy, Benjamin Gorman, and William Alvey. If your login and are ready to speak please contact us in the questions pane. Okay. It seems that come it seems that those individuals are not available so we will take a short break until two: oh 5 p.m. Until 2:05 Until two: oh 5 PM., Until two, until 20 5 p.m. 
 [ Captioner Standing By ] 
 At this time we are still waiting on our next speakers. Anyone scheduled for the 2 p.m. our is logged in and ready to speak please [ indiscernible ] message us through the question pane. If anyone scheduled for the 2 p.m. hour or even later day is logged in and ready to speak please message us through the questions pane. 
 [ Captioner Standing By ] 
 Is Alex Estevez, Eleanor Farber, or Britt Hayden is in the audience please message us to the questions pane and let us know that you are ready to speak. 
 Before our next speaker begins I would like to welcome our next group of representatives who will be appearing on camera to listen to the comments. CRCL, engineer, office of fuel economy programs. Paul Condit, Atty. advisor. Bahman, engineer, office of fuel economy programs. No on to our next speaker. Bill Alvey. Bill, you have been elevated to a presenter and we have just sent you a camera request. If you could please accept and turn your audio on. 
 Okay. 
 We see you and hear you, you cannot begin. 
 Thanks. Sorry my room is a little dark. And as soon as I did that I lost my notes. My name is Bill Alvey, I am a resident of the Phoenix area and I am very concerned about fuel economy and the environment. Partially I suppose because I am approaching Social Security age and have developed coronary artery disease. You may not be aware as I wasn't until I moved here but, Phoenix has problems with air-quality that are fairly severe and particularly during the summer, susceptible to high ozone levels. So I have always been concerned with fuel economy, I've been driving four-cylinder cars since I was old enough to drive my own cars are by my own cars. But, particularly now the, we'd really like to see at least the, gosh I can't remember alternative three I think it was called standards put in place. But, it's technologically and economically feasible I would love to see the 2012 I think it was standards that really gives the best feasibly possible fuel economy. I guess that's about all I have to share today. Thank you for your time. I appreciated. Appreciate it. 
 Thank you Bill, now onto our next speaker. Bill Bradley. Bill you have been elevated to presenter and we have sent you a camera request. If you could please accept entering your audio on. Bill, we can see you, we cannot hear you. There should be a little microphone that is red, click that and it will turn green. 
 How about now? 
 Thank you so much we can see you and your you. 
 Wonderful, thank you. My name is Bill Bradley, on the national organizing director for the nonprofit interfaith power and light. I'm here today to talk you little bit about some of the work that we are doing in our, our feelings about this rule. Interfaith PowerLite commission is to inspire and mobilize people of faith and conscience. To take bold unjust action on climate change. We recognize that people of all faiths and spiritual traditions share a common bond to care for their neighbor and this planet that we all share. So, I am here today to speak on behalf of my organization as well as our state affiliates and more than 6.5 million of faith who are part of our national network. You will hear from some of our other state affiliates today as well. We are asking you to revise the fuel economy standards beyond the level set during the Obama/Biden administration. While not allowing credits and loopholes to undermine the new rule. We ask that you put our country on track to reach 100% electric cars and light trucks no later than 2035, hopefully sooner. We need to finalize the strongest standards that are technically feasible which is alternative three in your proposed rule. The benefits of a stronger version of the clean cars rule will exceed the costs. We would see increased benefits through improved public health and reduced healthcare spending. Fuel savings and reduced impacts of climate change. A stronger rule is not only the right thing to do it is also the financially smart thing to do. It is clear the courageous and thoughtful policy is required to move the industry quickly. To send that signal of innovation is essential. As we look at the national and global landscape a strong rule make sense for many reasons. People with faith and conscious it is a reminder that the just and equitable path, thinking beyond the narrow self-interest is the path that offers the best outcomes for all this. I've heard a number of people here today speak in a similar manner. I'm going to close with the last sentence of a recent letter signed by nearly 1600 clergy and faith leaders who said this about the revised rulemaking. Quote. We urge you to consider the moral opportunity to act, and actual new standards that truly envision the best our committees, our nation, and our world., Again I am urging to take on this moral opportunity and to help our country lead unjust climate solutions by enacting the strongest standards to reduce vehicle pollution. I urge you to finalize alternative three which will provide that moral opportunity for automakers to make the most efficient vehicles possible. I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak today. Thanks for being here. 
 Thank you Bill. Is Margaret, can, Sally Tucker, or Jean Larson is here please message us through the questions pane so we can get you set up to speak. Also if anyone who is scheduled later today is ready to speak now please message us through the questions pane. We will return after a short break. 
 [ Captioner Standing By ] 
 Now, onto her next speaker. Bradley Tucker. You have been elevated to a presenter, we sent you a camera request. And you could please accept entering your audio on. 
 We see you but, we cannot hear you. There is a little microphone, it should be read, lick it and turn it green. We can hear you now. Hi Sally, I think you are muted again. The little microphone should be green. We can hear you now Sally, go ahead and speak. 
 Okay, thank you so much for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Sally Tucker and I'm here today as a private citizen and a retiring physician. Who lives in Piedmont Virginia. I'm here to add my support to this administration swift action on clean cars but, I urge that NHTSA to adopt their third alternative that would deliver greater savings to consumers.  I am currently 62 years young and I have been waiting a very, very long time for a significant improvement in the efficiency of cars. Each time I old card fails me I must consider buying a new car, I'm excited at first thinking that fuel-efficient cars and SUVs must've improved since the last time I bought a car but, then my hopes are dashed. As I look over the limited choices available to me. Over the years I have seen some improvement about, have yet to be able to find a fuel-efficient, best case of Eric scenario EV SUV that is important for my maintain poorly retained roads. That are usable in different environments but, are also better for the pocket, the health and your climate. I have worked to decrease my energy footprint by putting in a solar array on my house, investing in a freestanding seller set up as well. I have also shifted my electric company to one that uses wind and solar energy instead of coal. By doing this I and everyone that invested in solar and energy have grown the market and this has in fact grown solar when innovation have created jobs. This can also be a template for the auto industry. If they would embrace a change and face the fact that our climate demands strong measures to ensure that we can all look forward to a bright and healthy future. Adopting a strong fuel Academy standard an alternative three provides for greater fuel efficiency, reduces air pollutant, saves consumer money, reduces our dependence on oil, spurs job creation. During my emergency medicine residency allowed me to see how air pollutants disproportionately affect low income populations and people of color. These pollutants cause high rates of asthma in the poor results in an increased need for emergency room visits to control acute asthma exacerbations in a population. We also know now that air pollutants also can contribute to cancer risk and premature death as well as according to the American lung Association. We cannot rely on the auto industry alone to make necessary changes. As I have noted earlier we have been down this road before and it keeps getting longer and longer with only small changes in fuel efficiency and little choice in consumer, to the consumer. Effect Consumer Reports has shown consumers want automakers to continue to improve yule economy for all vehicle types. This will only be achieved with strong regulation as history is shown as. In conclusion I urge the administration -- 
 Thank you Sally. Our next speaker is Marian or Mark, if you are here please send us a chat in the questions pane. Also if Jean Larson, Joe Oswald or Cecelia Meza is here please send us a chat in the question pane letting us know that you are here. 
 We can see you but we cannot see you yet, or hear you yet, I apologize. 
 I am here Marian, I'm not sure I'm the one that is supposed to be here. I don't know how to do the chat thing to tell you I am here. So, somehow I, you see me. 
 That's okay Marion. 
 You can go ahead and begin. 
 Can I go ahead? Okay. As I said I Marian I'm also a member of the general public. I'm also a former teacher, a mother and a grandmother and a person of faith. I'm 82 years old and I've been driving since 1955. I was teaching high school biology, chemistry and physical science when Rachel Carson wrote her book the silent Spring in 1962. This book 1st alerted us to man-made environmental damage, fax we can hardly believe back then and may chose not to. Is from this perspective that I will comment today. I support these new proposed fuel economy standards especially alternative three. Which among other things will provide opportunities for developing jobs, create incentives for development of safer and more fuel-efficient cars, and save consumers considerable money at the pump. The science, common sense and her own eyes tell us that it is no longer 1962. We see now that scientists have been telling us for the last 30 years. Climate change is real and it is here now. Is fueled by her own actions, especially an increased use of fossil fuel for much of the worlds innovations including all of her automobiles. We are addressing climate change but, we need to do more. These proposed standards will help. They will cut greenhouse gases, air pollution and reduce our use of oil. They will spur automakers to continue improving fuel economy of gastrin cars as well as encourage the development of more hybrid and electric cars, all of which will positively impact our climate. Is a person of faith I believe we are called to respect and reverence and care for all creation including humans, plants, animals, and above all our planet. The only one we have to live on. I would like to [ indiscernible ] an excerpt from the poem. Written by Amanda Gorman. Despite disparities we all care to protect this world. [ indiscernible ] blue marble, this little [ indiscernible ]. To muster the nerve to server planet. We don't need to be a politician to make it her vision to conserve, protect, preserve this one and only home that is ours. Use your unique power to be the next generation of plan to save your. The time is now, it is the right thing to do. Please commit to these new fuel economy standards especially alternative three. I think you. 
 Thank you so much. Our next speaker is Mark depression depression. 
 Hello can you hear me? 
 Yes we can hear you. 
 Okay, good. Good morning from Hawaii, my name is Mark and I'm testifying as a member of the union of concerned scientists. I have eight years experience in air-quality insurer, research and seven years experience in air-quality enforcement as an inspector with the South [ indiscernible ] management District. Climate change is already affecting us here in Hawaii. The level rises causing flooding in low-lying areas. In fact we use the new term to describe this problem. King tides. High tides now become some roads to be covered in ocean water. Obviously notions are rising at an accelerated rate. Although they are rising sea level could be [ indiscernible ] I live a block from the ocean which in my lifetime I could have beachfront property. I'd rather keep things the way they were. I noticed gas mileage ratings have not improved noticeably in 25 years. Our brand-new Honda CRV gets virtually the same gas mileage as my 1995 Subaru Legacy when it was new. Part of the gas mileage problem that cars burn more fuel because they keep getting bigger and heavier, way down with the latest safety and technology improvements. Another problem is that too many young consumers are addicted to speed. They love to race around their high powered cars on the streets. The carmakers play to that need. They, just watch your advertising. You have 700 hp cars and pickup trucks. When I was 20 years old I used to race my car at the local dragstrip. Honestly I wish I still could but, times change. People mature. Now, we as a society have to mature. We can no longer afford to allow carmakers to provide massive amounts of horsepower for those of you who like to go fast. Carmakers can raise their average fuel mileage by limiting these high-powered cars. Government has an obligation to the public to hold automakers accountable and force them to make the most fuel efficient vehicles possible to keep global warming from getting any worse. Thank you so much for addressing this tremendous problem. 
 Thank you. Now onto her next speaker. Sister Joan Brown. Of the New Mexico interstate power and light. Sister Joan you have been elevated to presenter and we have sent you a camera request. If you would please accept and turn on your audio. 
 Okay, can you hear me? 
 Yes we can see you and hear you. 
 Great, great. Good afternoon everybody. By name is sister Joan Brown I'm a Franciscan sister and I'm the executive director of New Mexico interfaith power and light. I'm here in Albuquerque. So, I, we work with all kinds of people of faith here. In New Mexico who are concerned about climate change, our creation in the the American  community. As Christians we just finished the season of Gratian. The theme this year was a home for all?, Renewing the [ indiscernible ] of God, because many of the household, the homeland, the house in which we live. I think the reason the? Was there was because are we really a home for all? Are we acting as if this is a home for all now and into the future. If we are that we really need to be taken stronger actions for brothers and sister suffering here at home in our state and in the country, around the world, and many of the children gasping for air because of asthma problems and others. We have it within our power to care for our air, our health, our communities and climate. That is why these rules are so important. I come originally from the state of Kansas, a rural state. Even there when I go home driving my hybrid car my family which is quite conservative farmers are very interested in the higher gas mileage and wish that they could get higher gas mileage and some the vehicles that they drive. That kind of concurs with research that seven in 10 Americans agree or strongly agree that automakers should continue to improve fuel economy for all vehicle types. That they have a responsibility to consumers to improve gas mileage. This is really important for low income and moderate income households. We have a lot of those here in New Mexico. Were the second poor state in the nation. Very, very rural state. The people into the future have [ indiscernible ] that would help them with their household budgets would be very significant. Because people drive long distances. Because the process takes so long to come up with these, and are climate concerns aren't moving very quickly we really need to make the strongest standard for cars right now and without loopholes for the auto industry. As people of faith we are concerned with racial and economic justice and often those who are most vulnerable also live near the highways and freeways. Where they suffer from asthma and bronchial problems related to vehicle pollution. Their soul, some of the same populations that are affected most directly by climate change. So, we approve of alternative three, of the national Highway transportation safety administration for corporate average fuel standards. As the book of ecclesiastics is there there is a time for all things we believe it is now the time for strong, good, auto efficiency rules for our common good, our children, our neighbors, and are climate. Thank you so much. 
 Thank you. We will now take a short break until 30 5:00. If you Mr. earlier time slot and would like to reschedule please addresses through the questions pane. Thank you. 
 Hello everyone. If there any speakers who are logged in right now and, and would like to give their testimony can you please message us within the question pane. Again, if there any speakers who are currently logged in right now that would like to speak please message us using the question pane. 
 Welcome to the next panel. Before next speaker begins I would like to welcome our next group of representatives who will be appearing on camera to listen to the comments. We have Joseph, excuse me Walter, engineer officer fuel economy program. Joseph Beyer, engineer, office of human economy program. And Hannah Fisk, Atty. advisor. Our first speaker will be Dr. Richard Tanner. Dr. Kanner if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. If you see the go to webinar panel up in your right-hand corner 
 Can you hear me now? 
 Is your microphone is on. 
 Okay, thank you. My Nana is Richard E Kanner I live in salt lake city Utah. I'm an academic physician, specializing in diseases of the long. A professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah school of medicine. I, served on our states air-quality board from 1988 until 1997 and was the chair of the board for my final two years. We need our automobile and truck fleets to be much more fuel-efficient for many reasons. One which I'm particularly interested in is to improve the quality of the air we breathe. Engine exhaust from vehicular traffic accounts for more than 50% of their pollution in the area where I live, the Salt Lake Valley. We have some of the poorest air quality in the nation. The adverse effects of air pollution have been well described. The improvements that have been noted since 1980 have been shown in the paper which preceded the Covid pandemic, to have extended the lives of Americans by more than six months. Still, air pollution accounts for increases in mortality and morbidity from heart disease and strokes. It contributes to the development of common along disorders such as COPD and asthma. It is been associated with poor outcomes in pregnancy and it's even been associated in some studies with dementia. There is a relationship between diseases such as leukemia and the distance one resides from a freeway. The state epidemiologist from years ago did a study and found that the closer you live to the freeway the higher the incidence of leukemia. What's especially concerning is developers now are building more and more high density housing as well as office buildings alongside of freeways. You drive down the freeway and you keep seeing these buildings going up. These buildings are exposed to more vehicular exhaust which includes the oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, particulates and incompletely consumed petroleum products. Just the tires on the vehicles rolling along the highway produce fine particulates and so our tires need to be redesigned to reduce friction. The development of fleets of electronic vehicles will go a long way to reduce air pollution along her highways. But, this should not be offset by the generation of electricity using fossil fuels. We have seen improvements in the past, since the passage of the clean air act in the early 1970s and it's increase standards by congressional action in the early 1990s. But, we still need to do much to improve the quality, our air quality and auto manufacturers now have the technology to --. 
 Thank you Dr. Kanner. Our next speaker will be Joanna Hamilton. The union of concerned scientists. Joanna if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on. 
 Hi my name is Johnna Hamilton I'm the director of policy and the transportation program any member of the union of concerned scientists. I appreciate that you're hearing this whole, hearing today and appreciate the opportunity to testify. To reveal the economy [ indiscernible ] that were rolled back by the previous ministration. Is critical that you put strong standards in place including the Obama air stringency of 22 [ indiscernible ] and hitting the [ indiscernible ] in 2026. This will put us back on track to ensure more fuel-efficient options on the market which will save consumers more money and reduce oil use. Our analysis of the third-party analysis of the original analysis in the report completed in 2015 all show that NHTSA  [ indiscernible ] propose alternative. We strongly urge NHTSA  to he does analysis and [ Indiscernible - muffled ] that said we found a few of the modeling results a bit perplexing and have recommendations that of changes that can be made. The baseline you chose from the fleets of the companies that signed on with the California framework. It did not seem right and also results in virtual over compliance with the rule which has the effect of greatly reducing the net benefit attributed to the rule and analysis. Additionally the assumptions of technology costs and efficacy don't seem right to us as well. [ indiscernible ] cause of technology and efficacy of these technologies is too low. Which results in the models many more technology vehicles that we seem necessary. Thus increasing the total cost of the rule and undermining the net and if it's. Benefits. We think it's critical that you decrease the impact, other manufacturers have been receiving undo credits for a number of technologies. Now is the time to ensure that off-site credits read in real were built we recommend that NHTSA  of technologies while maintaining [ Indiscernible - muffled ] second, the full-size pickup a fence technology credit is unwarranted. Giving credit to hybrid pickups will use electric vehicles come on the market. Hybrid pickups are to get credit for being efficient they do not need an additional credit from technology from that has been available for over decade. I appreciate [ indiscernible ] the previous ministration is rollback. The alternative [ indiscernible ] is not sufficient for these moments. There's plenty of opportunity to ensure that this rule is actually receiving maximum feasible fuel economy. Finalizing alternative with significant direction and a path that [ indiscernible ] recommends you take. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. 
 Thank you Johnna. Our next speaker will be Kathy Rainier with the union of concerned scientists. Kathy if you can accept, if you turn your microphone on. That good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Cappy Reiner and I'm here today as a private citizen, wife, mother, daughter, aunt and sister. I'm also a school nurse here in the beautiful state of Colorado. A member of the alliance of nurses for healthy environments, board member of the healthy schools network and former member of the national Association of school nurses, school nurses Board of Directors. We know with certainty that there is very little time to ensure a livable planet and climate for our children. And for future generations. In fact in the words of the nature Conservancy this is our determining decade we must take bold transformative action immediately if we are to change the trajectory of climate and planetary crisis we are on. We have overwhelming evidence that indicates that environment degradation including climate change is following a negative trajectory. Affecting the climates ability to provide clean air, water, food, and safe places to live. Our children face unprecedented risks to their health and well-being related to the health the planet and these risks unequally impact children, especially those living in under resourced communities. Children of color, and children with chronic health conditions. Further deepening existing health, educational and social inequities. As an example of the negative trajectory we are on, we are on, a recent study found that average annual fine particulate matter has increased by 5.5% in 2016. The chemical composition of particulates .2 vehicle miles traveled is likely contributors in addition to wildfires related to climate change. It's frightening to note that the increase in particulate matter was associated with 9000 in addition to wildfires related to climate change. It's frightening to note that the increase in particulate matter was associated with 9700 additional premature deaths. In 2018. This reminds us that the impacts of climate change are here now. Here in Colorado for air quality often makes it unsafe for our children to play outside. As a school nurse I know that nature and the outdoors are essential to the healthy development of children and to the physical and mental well-being of us all. I was dismayed to see that the proposed CAFE standards are not as strong as the Obama administration standards that the Trump administration rolled back. You had the opportunity to make the standards even stronger. I urge you to enact  the strongest possible CAFE standards. In the interest of our children who rely on us to ensure  safe and healthy places to live, learn, and play. Thank you for this opportunity to express my concerns. 
 If Keith is login please message us using the question pane. Again, Keith Huntley if you are available please message us using the question pane to let us know that you would like to speak. Our next speaker will be Dean when. Dean if you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on okay we can see, there you are. 
 Can we Heary can you hear me now. 
 We can. That great, thank you very much. Thank you for providing opportunity to testify on the topic of fuel efficiency standards. I am a retired environmental scientist with two beautiful grandchildren and would like to do whatever I can to improve for future. I believe the stronger standards in alternative three are better for that future. Past regulation has demonstrated the effectiveness in stimulating needed changes in the transportation sector. Continue to play a critical role in life for all Americans in multiple ways. A can one mitigate climate change and reduction in carbon emissions. Two, improve public health to reduce emissions from gas fueled vehicles, three, provide domestic auto makers to more rapid transition to electric and hybrid vehicles keeping them globally competitive. Four, reduce public health disparities with the overall reduction in air pollution especially in more racially diverse urban cores. 5 improve the balance of payments by reducing oil imports. Six, save consumers money and lower cost of the pump by reducing overall demand. Only Throop federal level policy can U.S. automakers be incentivized to reprioritize short-term revenue in favor of their long-term competitiveness and economic viability. And also provide the public benefits of reducing fossil fuels can provide. Decades of past, regulatory accomplishments which in the past the industry has strongly resisted have not resulted in the sky falling as industry had warned at the time. Instead they and their shareholders have prospered in a level playing field. The current support by almost all domestic and international automakers for federal goals for electric vehicles and half a CAFE standards suggest that we are at a critical turning point in public, private collaboration to mitigate  climate disasters and to respond to overall environmental challenges. We should seize the day to move forward as quickly as possible. Please support the stronger standards in alternative three and the beneficial outcomes that these regulations can lead to. Thank you again for this opportunity to make comments on the proposal. 
 Thank you Dean. Our next speaker will be Scott Schuler. Scott. If you can accept the camera request, I see your microphone is on. 
 My name is Scott Schuler. I speak to you today as an educator, member of the Sierra Club and one of millions of private citizens who are deeply concerned about the future of our children and grandchildren. As we see man-made climate change increasingly contaminate their and our environment. There is nothing more fundamental to life than air, food, and water yet fossil fuels contaminate the air we breathe through emissions through automobiles and trucks, power plants and increasingly through massive wildfires caused by climate change that burned beyond her power to control. Pollution caused climate change dries up or burns the food we eat and reduces crop yield by allowing destructive weed and insect species to invade new regions. Pollution caused by fossil fuels contaminate the water we drink through fuel spills such as we now see offshore near Huntington Beach California. Well water contaminated by fracking and a certification of our lakes and other bodies of water. These are not theoretical problems. Nor are they problems we can postpone tackling into some distant future time. Anyone breathing toxic so that in the American West is my grandchildren in Northern California have done or seeking relief from flooding in Louisiana as family struggle to survive one record-breaking hurricane season after another and tell you that these are existential problems that we must face urgently and immediately. Much of our consumption of fossil fuel and therefore much of the pollution we create is caused by our use of combustion engine automobiles and trucks. Fortunately we have the power to determine how those vehicles will be powered as other countries such as China and members of the European Union are doing. Today's central topic we also have the power to regulate how much toxic fossil fuel we burn by fuel efficiency. Automakers will meet more rigorous standards because they already can. Over the years our family evolved from a 35+ mile per gallon Neeson hybrid to a 40 mile plus per gallon Lexis. To leasing a Chevy volt powered mostly by solar panels. There is no longer any technological excuse to delay raising fuel efficiency standards significantly. To save consumers money on total cost of ownership absolutely. But, more important to save this increasingly fragile planet for our children and grandchildren. I'm therefore urge you to adopt the most rigorous fuel economy standards possible. In this case that means adopting alternative three, the Obama era fuel economy standards. Which will best conserve consumers enter planet. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input. 
 Thank you Scott. Before we move on to our next speaker, the following individuals are logged in please contact us using the questions pane. Keith plentifully and Daniel Schwartz. Again if you are logged in and ready to leave your comments please question us using the question pane, please contact us using the questions pane. Our next speaker will be Rebecca. With the ozone reduction alliance. 
 Hello. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Rebecca and I am part of the Sheboygan ozone reduction alliance. A concerned citizen and also the parent of two young children. I want to thank Pres. Biden and the administration for acknowledging and addressing pollution from transportation. Sheboygan is amazing place to raise a family. Parks, national resources community and activity. What you might not know is Sheboygan County with a population OBRA hundred 15,000 is one of the top 25 most polluted for ozone cities in the United States. According the American lung Association. One of our my children has special needs. She has syndrome and will need to exercise for the rest of her life. In order to stay at a healthy weight. A healthy set of lungs is essential to her health. My other child is for and I would like him to develop healthy lungs. In order to keep my family healthy we often go indoors in the afternoon and the evening to avoid the high ozone levels. My children should not have to miss out on their childhood because of high ozone levels. The summer was incredibly hot and with climate change our summers continue and may continue to be hotter. This will mean more and more days where my children have to stay inside rather than play and experience their childhood as it should be. In addition I am a farmer and I have to go outside daily. Often in the evening. Last year when the wildfires were so bad in Canada Minnesota I had to work eight hours inside the titular matter. Were air-quality and I do not have any health issues. Every day I am exposed to poor air quality and I'm concerned that the long-term damage. Most importantly I would like to raise our children within a world that is not headed towards catastrophic destruction. The climate change we will experience more frequent extreme weather events that threaten the life not only my children but all Americans. People of color, those living in low can come communities, children, older adults and those living with chronic disease are most at risk. We know that transportation is the largest source of greenhouse emissions. The alternative I ask you to be as stringent or more as alternative number three. Essays the most lives in has the most significant and greenhouse reduction. Those standards to go in place for cars in the model year 2024. We need to transition to zero emission vehicles which also have a huge cost-benefit. 72 Bett billion in health benefits and 113 billion in climate benefits for 2050. 70% of Americans support government policy that transition us to electric vehicles. This can be done. We are at a pivotal moment in which we hold our children's future in our hands. We need to act now to reduce emissions and save lives and better health. I urge you to push forward with the strong greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards for vehicles. Thank you. 
 Thank you Rebecca will be Rebecca Clark with the Sheboygan ozone reduction alliance. Rebecca if you can accept the camera request. 
 I think I got a. 
 You do. 
 Good, it's good to have good representation here from Sheboygan. Thank you for letting me speak. Again I'm the cofounder, Rebecca Clark of the Sheboygan reduction alliance. Resolution Sheboygan Wisconsin along Lake Michigan concerned about consistent high ozone levels and its impact on health. Ozone is been a problem in the Lake Michigan area since the 1990s. Sheboygan has struggled to meets federal standards. Our summers here short and increasing warming temperature due to climate change will increase the cooking of ozone leading to more Hyatt ozone days. Some of his work with children at daycamp seer, primarily focused on getting kids outside are very concerned about how many kids here have inhalers. I'm also really frustrated by how many days I have to bring them inside to avoid ozone's impact on this vulnerable population. Currently Sheboygan is the 23rd most polluted city in the nation. For ozone. Is a ongoing health issue for a small count and were desperately looking for long-term solutions not political. Residence is Sheboygan Michigan are required to have vehicle emissions tested as well as use lower emission formulated gas. [ indiscernible ] has been told by our state and national representatives that these initiatives are too expensive and hard on residence. I'm here to say no so a request to state and federal leaders for reduction programs and green infrastructure has not been successful. In Wisconsin. [ indiscernible ] understands that air quality and climate change challenges are multistate and multi-[ indiscernible ]. We therefore trend to efforts for robust economy standards. We can no longer attack the challenges the state by state or county by county. We need national efforts to reduce emissions not only to combat climate change but to also ensure that people can breathe much easier along the shores of Lake Michigan and across the country. Soil Sheboygan County is really excited about this national effort to increase fuel economy standards. It is an effort that is important to us here along Lake Michigan to our kids health, to our quality of life. Updating our national fuel economy standards feels like the least we could do. We will be watching for NHTSA's  next national rules and embers to get to zero transportation emissions. We hope that this is just the beginning because in Sheboygan County we could really use the help. Thank you. 
 [ Captioner is transitioning ]Thank you Rebecca. The next speaker is Ruth startle, if you can start your microphone, except the camera request. 
 Okay, we can see you but we cannot hear you. If you click on the red microphone icon. 
 Okay, great, thank you. Good afternoon. Tank you for the opportunity to comment. My name is Ruth Street Eagle, I live in Albuquerque New Mexico and do volunteer work around environmental justice for the New Mexico chapter of interface power and light. And a member of the United Church of Christ. As a person of faith I believe it is our duty to care for each other, and for the amazing interconnected web of life on earth. I am very concerned by all of the harmful changes to the climate that are now playing out on a regular daily basis. Due to the disregard for the lifeforms and planetary systems we depend on for our existence. We have very little time left to make the needed changes before our climate collapses. Reducing carbon pollution is absolutely critical to this process. The by the administration fuel economy standards should be more ambitious than those of the Obama era. Time has passed and technology has improved. Loopholes for automakers must be eliminated . please, choose alternative free and your proposed rule. American strongly support greater fuel economy. We don't want to cause more pollution, or put more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as we go about our daily lives. People with low incomes, who are most in need of fuel-efficient transportation, are the most likely to purchase used vehicles and thus be the last to benefit from stronger fuel economy standards. The same people are the most likely to suffer from asthma, or other respiratory diseases, and to be exposed to vehicle pollution because they live near highways. Our shameful history of building interstates through communities of color, and forcing people of color to rent or purchase housing in undesirable areas, as meant poor health for many of these, many in these communities. The least we can do is work to reduce vehicle pollution through strong fuel economy standards. Again, please choose alternative 3 in your proposed rule. I appreciate the opportunity to comment, thank you. 
 Thank you Ruth. Our next speaker will be Darrell Clark. 
 If you can accept the camera request, and unmute your microphone. 
 I think you can see me and hear me. And my good? Am I good. Let me get my notes up. Okay, hello and thank you for the opportunity to speak. I live in Pasadena California, part of Los Angeles. I am also the delighted grandfather of a little boy who will turn 6 years old in 2 weeks. And have to think about the world he will grow up in. Transportation sector, greenhouse gas emissions are 40% of California's omissions . and holy half of the omissions, if you include in-state oil production and refining. Our topic today, passenger vehicles, are 72% of transportation. And therefore over one third of the total problem. And therefore, a critical solution that we are talking today about. And of course others have already mentioned our orange county oil slick's destruction over the other impacts of oil I won't belabor that. Personally, after 2 Toyota previous is I have been driving electric 4 and half years. First the Chevy volt, now a Tesla model 3. People that drive EV find them smooth, quiet, zippy and love never going to a gas station. And I see an awful lot of them around me here. And California's executive order, letter in 7910, goes for 100% of new car and light truck sales to be zero admission by 2035. And even the Legacy car companies are issuing press releases and promising they are finally coming around. Now on to the café standards before us. To me they seem to be chasing an old model. Not even as good as the Obama administration focus on slowly improving gasoline engines, when EV technology was far list robust, far list robust versus the current reality of rapid growth in EV's are ready. So to conclude, the world has a climate emergency, passenger vehicles are over one third of it. Here in our part of the United States. And the café standard to really meet that emergency, and solve that emergency, would look more like simply 100% zero admission car sales, by 2030. so thank you very much. And I know you have a big job going forward. 
 Thank you very much Darrell. The next speaker will be Jean Larson, with the union of concerned sciences. 
 If you can accept the camera request and turn your microphone on . 
 Okay, we can see you. We just need you to click on the red microphone icon. 
 Great . can you hear me? Thank you, thank you so much. Thank you for this opportunity. It's really important to me, climate change in the climate emergency, is my very big the biggest concern. I'm glad to see you have chosen to undo the previous administrations rollback of the clean car standards for vehicles made from 2021 to 2026. However given the scale of the climate, the new standards should be much stronger. As Darrell just said they should be at least as strong as the standards finalize under President Obama. Unfortunately the proposed standards are full of loopholes that will allow automakers to not make the most efficient callers they can and slowed the transition to electric vehicles. I strongly urge you to adopt a more stringent alternative put forward in the rule and reduce the flexibilities given to the automakers, to ensure they make and market more electric vehicles and gasoline powered vehicles that are much more efficient. I am in Arkansas that I would love to buy an electric car but we don't have the charging stations. But this work before you will help immensely. Thank you again for the opportunity, take good care. 
 Thank you Jean. The next speaker will be Rabbi Daniel Schwartz, with the coalition and environment life. 
 Rabbi Schwartz if you could accept the camera request. 
 I just need you to turn your microphone on by clicking on the red icon. 
 Okay, am I unmute it. Thank you so much for the opportunity. On the environment in Jewish life, the past 25 years have worked with Jewish organizations and individuals across the country, to deepen the awareness of our traditions concerning care for the environment and its link to across our planet. I was there when the coalition was getting started. One of our very first activities was joining a congressional hearing on café standards. So this is one of the things we have been involved in for a good long time. And we have done that in an interface setting as well. I was looking at one of my colleagues in the environmental, evangelical environmental network, the WW JD which most people read as what would Jesus do. And I said, could that be said is what would Jesus drive. Suddenly they had a new campaign. The reason from a faith perspective we have been involved in things like café standards for so long, is there is obviously a huge social and social justice impact, from the way that we transport ourselves around the country. I recently have returned from a meeting at the Vatican, with Pope Francis about climate change with 40 colleagues from around the world. Who all represent a wide variety of faiths, Sunni, Shiite, Gene, Hindu, and many varieties of Christianity. And one of the things we could all agree on, whatever our theological differences, is that when environmental destruction hits our planet, then it is these socially excluded and poor that suffer most. We need a strong standard, at least as strong as alternative number 3 to keep us moving in the right direction to keep us moving towards a society where convenience doesn't take away from your health. I realize that cars in the private auto, have outsized role symbolically in the American psyche. All you have to do is pay attention to anything going on in Hollywood to see that. We also have the traditions, not just as the car is liberty, but of a nation that gets together for taking care of each other. And that's what we need to do as we finalize these regulations, to push for something as strong as possible to protect all Americans, to make a more sustainable future for our children and generations to come, thank you. 
 And thank you Rabbi Schwartz. Before we move on to the next speaker, the following individuals, can you please message us using the question. Jennifer into flash, Cassondra Carmine. Again, if you are currently logged in, please message us using the question thing, and let us know you would like to leave your comments. The question pain. And now the next speaker will be legit Conda's. 
 If you can accept the camera request. There you are. 
 Good afternoon, I am Brigitta Conda's, thank you for the opportunity to testify. I am a private citizen, I live in Atlanta, I am a mom and hope to be a grandmother someday. I am very concerned about the pace of change around the world when it comes to tackling climate change. I support everything the Biden administration is currently working on to try to reduce greenhouse emissions, and I believe that should include adopting a 3rd alternative, or even more aggressive, standards to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. We happen to live in London for 6 years with my husband's job. I was impressed with the number of cars we could pick from that were more fuel-efficient, better design to reduce emissions, and even the work trucks you saw on the road every day were streamlined and efficient looking. I had a small SUV that somehow look small and felt roomy, and work for road trips. Unfortunately when I tried to buy the same car after returning to the US, it wasn't an available model. I think consumers deserve to have more choices available that support their goals, and make steps towards improving climate change. In our household we currently have 3 hybrid cars. 2 of which are almost 8 years old and have been extremely reliable. But I know buying a hybrid can be a tough choice for consumers, because they cost significantly more, as the electric cars. Requiring car manufacturers to be including efficiency of all car products will hope consumers have a better option. With a strong fuel economy standard, a win/win for everybody involved, if they would step back and look at the end goals and where we would like to be, in 50 years. Things it seems like a great step we can make today to help protect the environment. Thank you for your time and I've been very impressed with the other speakers today. I enjoyed hearing what everybody has to say. 
 Thank you. Before we move on to the next speaker, if Mark rose is available, can you please message us through the question pain. Again Mark rose, if you are logged in and would like to leave your comments please message us. 
 Our next speaker will be Ms. Gardner. With the California interfaith power and light. If you can accept the camera request, and turn your microphone on. By clicking on the red icon. 
 In the upper right-hand corner you should see the go to webinar windowpane. And we can see you., There you are you have to speak to see if we can hear you. 
 If you could go to the audio pain, there are 2 drop downs, one for the microphone and one for the speaker. If not, unplug your headset and plug it back in. It will tell you it found new hardware you can accept. 
 Is the mute button on? Or do you want to unplug the headset altogether. 
 So there is a little microphone hanging from your court? At the top you should be able to raise the volume. 
 If not, unplug the headset. Let us try it with just the computer audio. The upper right corner, click on the microphone icon. 
 I believe Liore Milgrom-Gartner will restart . We will go to the next speaker. 
 If you are on VPN, log out of your VPN before you come back, okay . 
 Thank you. The next speaker is Mark rose with the national Parks conservation Association. 
 Hello and good afternoon, thank you for the opportunity to call on to comment. I am Mark Rose, program manager for the national Parks conservation Association.  America's leading voice to protect and preserve our national parks. I am testifying today because of the pollution and climate change, are responsible for some of the gravest arms to national marks in local communities. Really all 423 park units are now at risk due to climate change, leading to runaway heat waves, extreme drought, see arise, and wildfires. As I speak, tens of thousands of acres are currently burning into of the national parks I work directly protecting. Sequoia and Kings Canyon. We are reminded if we do not act quickly we may forever lose many of our parks, such as the glacier national Park. Joshua trees of Joshua tree national Park, and the thousands of-year-old giant Sequoia's and Sequoia national Park. Air pollution from vehicles significantly harm the health and well-being of park visitors and ecosystems. Severely at the visibility of national parks, where as much is 90 miles of average visibility in Keats Canyon. Beyond my role, I also spent many years working in Fresno, working on air quality issues in California San Joaquin Valley, one of the most polluted regions. The majority of which comes from vehicles. I have seen firsthand the impact of vehicle pollution on the health and well-being of my neighbors and friends, and we must do more to protect the citizens, especially persons of color and low income individuals, living in the justice communities across the nation with climate instability. While we think that we think the administration for acting to update the café standards, the preferred alternative does not go far enough to improve passenger fuel economy, to reduce IMGs, the climate goals to protect the communities and preserve national parks for generations to come, it's a believes we must move forward with the strongest CAFE standards.  It should include fuel economy requirements that are more stringent than previously in the 2012 Obama era standards. But also we surprised, support alternative 3, technically feasible, will provide the largest benefit. And we asked . said not to include any unnecessary loopholes. With the transportation being the largest, [indiscernible] clear majority of the omissions. To put America on the path to zero emission vehicles sales by 2025. 
 Thank you Mark Rose . 
 Next, Cassandra Carmichael. 
 If you are logged in, and ready to leave your comments, please message us using the question pain. Okay. Sandra Huckleberry. 
 Sandra if you are available, to leave your comments, please message us using the comment pane . 
 And the neck speaker will be David Mirsky with a CBE. 
 Abbe if you can accept the camera request. 
. Lick on the red icon, there you are. 
 Sorry about that. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today and express my support for strong admission standards. I am Avi Mersky,  a senior researcher with the American Council of energy a comedy, advancing energy efficiency. And supporting a vibrant in equitable economy. [indiscernible] stronger feel omission standards, for low income families, spending 3 times as much on fueling, as a share of their income than their counterparts. It disproportionately impacts low income communities and communities of color. Often not being the purchasers of new vehicles. We have seen gains in the efficiency of new vehicles. Even declining in the model year 2019, NHTSA Muscat fuel efficiency back on pack  track. To help make [indiscernible] the role as proposed does not go far enough. It does not make up for the time lost. Our modeling shows proposed standards capture only 58% of the fuel savings with the final role. Alternative 3 is still only 69% of the fuel savings. Alternative 3 could capture 80%, and achieve a fleetwide average by 2026. but only if the additional of cycle credit and full-size truck incentives were eliminated. To recover fuel savings of the 2012 rule, reaching almost 58 miles per gallon fleetwide by 2026, we believe the standards is achievable even the standard of new technology. Which advances hybridization, and technology. The proposed role will only modestly increase by 2%. We believe the standard is for further innovation that will be difficult if they're not consistently pushing the option of cost-effective technology. The final rule must be doing more to be sure the US reaches its goal, thank you . 
 Thank you. The next speaker will be Liore Milgrom-Gartner , with the California interfaith power and light. 
 Okay. Hopefully you can hear me now. 
 We can. 
 Thank you so much for your patience. My name is Liore Milgrom-Gartner , Northern California director of an organization called California interfaith power and light. Many of my faith-based colleagues who have spoken before me, we represent a collection of over 700 communities of faith and conscience across the state . I am representing tens of thousands of people, ranging from the Bay Area to Los Angeles, and also the Central Valley, North to South. We are deeply engaged in the issue, a diverse base of faith in community because we care about climate change. We know the data, and care for future generations. But also for those living today. The neighbors, their lungs, their safety on the road, we work on issues of sustainable streets and the car standards will impact all of us, today and for the children and generations to come. The pollution most significantly is most widely affected particularly in the central valley where it is not just people talking about equity. It's not just those where they live, it's the core doors people have to live through. The choices we as individuals are making across the country, are impacting the people who are the neighbors here in California. We are so grateful the national Highway transportation and safety administration, and the Biden administration has proposed new federal corporate average fuel economy standards. To reviews the last administration's role back. We are greatly thankful. While this is a significant step forward, we are asking for more. The administration and the national Highway transportation of safety administration need to deliver a strongest possible fuel economy standard . without the loopholes that automakers are calling for, and were given to monthly way for the safety of our community. I urge you to please to finalize alternative 3, which will push automakers to make the most efficient vehicles they can. In the Bay Area and in California, we see what people do when given options for clean option energy standards. They are driving, happy, healthy, there communities are surviving. We would like this available to not just continue in California but across America put clean fuel-efficient cars are safe cars. Strong of fuel economy standards does not impact traffic safety. Thank you very much for the opportunity. 
 Thank you Liore Milgrom-Gartner. Before we moved to the neck speaker,  if Stephen sought him is available, and would like to leave comments, please message us using the question pane . Stephen sought him. If you would like to leave comments, please message us using the question pane . 
 The next speaker will be Keith Monteny with the union of concerned scientists . Click on the red icon to turn your microphone on. 
 There I am, can you hear me okay quick 
 Thank you very much. I live in Boone Iowa. My mother, a farmer, I am a 75-year-old disabled Vietnam veteran with military service, 33 years working in the federal government as an IRS state income tax attorney. I have 47 years is the farming business. Ethanol plants. That's pretty much where I sell most of my grain. I've also driven more than 1 million miles, over two thirds of Iowa, and I'm pretty familiar with what goes on in farming here in Iowa. Farmers are not really locked into whether or not they have diesel or gasoline. What they are locked into is whether or not they can make money, in terms of the farming practices. Personally I drive a 2013 Toyota hybrid and get 37 miles per gallon on the highway, zero in town with my hybrid. Since climate change is about 27% driven by transportation, the low A, standards, many of the climate issues I experience on a personal level on my family farm. With massive changes in the amount of rainfall, massive changes in terms of the erosion and other things that affect not only waterfall in Iowa, but loss of topsoil. For example in Iowa we've lost over 50% of topsoil in the last hundred years. The majority of that is since the 70s, when we started doing fence row to fence row farming, trying to produce multicultural crops primarily for the agribusiness it. China right now has over 100 electric car manufacturers, battery manufacturing than any other nation. And they say hydrogen, not electric transportation is the future. Which Australia, Asia, agree frankly as well. Clean energy investments, are indeed the clean energy side of this. The US is a distant 2nd or 3rd, in all of these. The CO2 technology now supports conversion into methanol, liquid CO2 in the methanol, from ethanol into what is going to be ethanol. So here in Iowa and other places, we need to begin thinking about moving on from using grains and ethanol plants, to trying to do other things. I believe one of the things we can do is start adding to taking the marginal land out of production and using it for sequestration. Inc. you for the ability to comment. I am highly supportive of changing the café standards and increasing them substantially, thank you . 
 Thank you Keith. 
 At this time, we will take a break until 4:25 PM. I would like to leave a reminder to anyone scheduled to speak, if you are currently logged in and would like to leave your comments, please send us a message using the question pane , and let us know that you want to speak. Again, we will break shortly, and resume at 4:25 PM ET. 
 [Event on a short break to reconvene at 4:25 PM ET][Captioner standing by] 
 We will now start the next panel. Before we began I would like to show the NHTSA on the panel . We have Sierra. In the office of fuel economy program. We have Paul comment. Attorney advisor NHTSA . And vide. Office of fuel economy program. NHTSA . Our neck speaker will be Cassondra Carmichael with the national religious partnership for the environment. 
 Sondra if you can accept the camera request. 
. Click on the red icon to turn your microphone on. 
 You can try to speak. 
 Okay. 
 If you could go to the audio section go ahead and click that microphone to unmute again. Go to the microphone session and see if under the microphone you have a drop-down that's choosing the right microphone . if not you can choose phone call and dial into the call. 
 That is the 2nd option, what I would do at this point, open the audio pane , select dial in. Okay she is doing that. 
 In my connected now? 
 We can hear you did yes you are. 
 Okay, thank you. Sorry for the technological snafu. May I begin quick 
 Yes please. 
 I am Cassandra Carmichael, Executive Director for the national religious partnership for the environment. And alliance of 5 major faith institutions in the United States. We are concerned about God's creation in God's people. We are offering this testimony today. Transportation is the largest and fastest source of greenhouse gases in the United States. 30% of climate conditions impact negatively human health. To care for God's earth and God's people, we must have policies that in the combustion fuels and eliminate the communities, particularly communities of color, disease causing life shortening concentrations. We can improve air quality and shift to zero emission vehicles. Any transportation solution must also ensure that clean and reliable, affordable transportation is accessible to all. We know that black communities in other communities of color are disproportionately harmed from vehicle pollution, since these neighborhoods are often located closest to highways and other sources of vehicle pollution . this resulted tragically and higher rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses among these community members. This fall, more than 20,000 people of faith, including almost 1000 black church leaders, and a vast number of pro-life evangelicals submitted comments, for robust admission standards on cars. It is not the first time the religious community has weighed in on the need for clean cars. Faith community statements and advocacy for clean cars is born of the administration for environmental health, and environmental justice. We need strong clean car standards to protect clean air in our communities, and help alleviate the ongoing climate crisis. As a faith leader I urge the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency to implement strong, clear and care standards to help build a better and brighter future for God's children and the planet. Thank you. 
 Thank you Cassondra. The neck speaker is Angel Bradford with the Sierra Club Delta chapter. 
 Angel if you can accept the camera request. And turn your microphone on by clicking the red microphone icon. 
 Yes, can you hear me quick 
 Weekend. 
 I am at the airport, pardon me. My name is Angel Bradford a private citizen, and a volunteer leader with the Delta chapter of Sierra Club. I live in South Louisiana. A few years ago, I went for my first car. It took me weeks to find a vehicle that was affordable and better for the environment. I wanted an electric vehicle that it was completely out of reach for me financially. I landed on a Toyota Corolla hatchback that gets 60 miles per gallon on the highway. Reducing my impact on the environment. Many car dealers and sellers I asked, why is it so difficult to find fuel efficient cars in Louisiana. Quite frankly they said there's no incentive to invest in that market. For years our leaders have had more efficient vehicles, resisting any attempt to address the climate crisis for transportation. Currently the hostile environment for companies like Tesla in Louisiana prevents citizens like me from having access to a variety of vehicles that are both affordable and reduce the carbon footprint. The reality is we are behind in the con, climate crisis in Louisiana, and getting all Americans a better way of driving in a better way of life. After 40 years we need robust leadership and guidance on how to move forward. Louisiana and's need to know fuel-efficient cars are possible and affordable in our state . and that directive has to come from you all. Please implement the strongest possible bill economy standards, alternative 3. Thank you so much for your time. 
 Thank you. Our neck speaker will be Quinta Warren  with Consumer Reports. If you can accept the camera request. And we can hear you . 
 I am working on the camera. Okay. All right. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of strong bill economy standards. I am Dr. Quinta Warren,  the director of sustainability at Consumer Reports. I'd like to thank NHTSA for the proposal.  Backing strong fuel economy standards with direct and negative impact on consumers. The NHTSA's  proposal is a good start, the agency should go further. The shift to NHTSA's alternative would save  consumers more money and restore more benefits of the Obama era fuel economy standards. Strong fuel economy standards help consumers save money on gas cost and reduce the harmful pollutants in the air. They also encouraged technological innovation. Job creation. Our research shows fuel economy is a freely attribute, for the next vehicle. A 2020 national representative survey conducted by's Consumer Reports found 18% of respondents said the federal government should increase fuel economy standards. 74% said automakers have a responsibility to improve gas mileage . we need strong standards from NHTSA to give  consumers more fuel-efficient vehicles. Because automakers have proven time and again they won't do it on their own. The Biden administration has previously stated its commitment to environmental justice. And it can demonstrate this by addressing transportation related impact. There is inherent in equity in the car marketplace, that Consumer Reports research has found that new car buyers are predominantly wealthier, whiter and older. And they determine what vehicles end up on the used car market. Extending consumers choice will be those that cannot afford to enter the market. Lower income households spend a higher amount on energy. They would be alleviated having more fuel-efficient vehicles available on the market. I would like to close by thanking the department of transportation for this proposal, and urging them to set the most feasible standard all possible to make sure no community is left behind. The urgency to set standards that restore the benefit of the Obama era standards, car and light duty trucks efficiency as possible. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. 
 Thank you Quinta Warren. The neck speaker , is Sondra Huckleberry. Sondra if you can accept the camera request. 
 Sharing my WebCam, can you hear me okay? Okay. My name is Sandy Huckleberry, and basically I'm just a person, but a person that cares deeply about the climate change. I understand we are on a precipice of climate change. And I want my son and hopefully someday grandchild got to not just survive but thrive. And I understand the decisions we are making, that everybody, Vinay Nagabhushana, . They seem like small decisions but they make up saving ourselves. I grew up in New York City, so many of my friends still don't have even a drivers license, you don't need a car there. I moved about 5 years to San Diego for my husband's job. And I discovered there so many places, I can't even get without a car. I had to get a car . and I cannot afford, never been able to afford a new car. My ability to keep as current as possible with environmental standards, has to necessarily lag behind by several years. Like the previous speaker spoke about. I'm sure I'm not the only person. I would love to have a less polluting, smaller carbon footprint car, that is more affordable frankly to drive. The gas prices are amazing in California. And it's a huge addition to our monthly budget. So, I just want you guys to remember that, when you are sitting, setting standards, you are saying those standards, for most people for several years after that year. And I also, from what I understand, alternative 3. You guys have a choice between alternative 3, that will help make up for some of the horrible rollbacks that happen during the previous administration. I am urging you to do everything you can, in your power, the power you have there, to make the right choice. For my child, and if you have children for your children . and everybody else. We literally depend on you to make the right decisions. Please do so, thank you. 
 Thank you Sandra. If Christina Frost is logged in, and would like to leave comments, please contact us through the question panel. Okay. Christina if you can accept the camera request. Or you can again leave a comment, using the phone. Let's see if we can get one of our technical people to reach out to Christina. 
 Christina, can you please enter your unique audio pin number on your mobile device. 
 She cannot hear us yet. Looks like she is still dialing in. 
 Okay, thank you. It is enabled now, okay. 
 Christina are you there? Your sound is breaking up, are you in a bad area? 
 We can hear you Christina, will you say something so we can hear your voice. 
 Can you hear me now? 
 We can hear you. 
 Great. Apologies. Okay, thank you. Sorry about that. So my name is Christina Coast, the L&I policy coordinator. The Illinois affiliative interface power and light. I am also the vice president of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist women's group. I am a mother of a child with asthma. I am a person of faith. I'm also the owner of 2 hybrid cars. Tank you for the opportunity, and my support for the Bidens standard of fuel economy standards. As a United Methodist family we try to set a good example to our congregation. How to use purchasing power to reflect one's core values. We own afford see Max energy and a phone fusion energy. Both plug-in hybrids. We do our part to reduce the energy consumption and omissions at home, and that our church, to educate others on how to make similar changes in their own homes to counteract climate change. But, being systemic and corporate change, is even more critical to climate justice in the United States and around the world, which is why I support the strongest possible fuel economy standard, which would have the power to drive down vehicle pollution and protect public health, spur the economy by saving consumers money at the pump, reduce oil use and increase our energy security, and provide well-paying, family sustaining union jobs. In manufacturing. From the transportation sector it's deeply tied to the issue of racism and environmental injustice. As low income communities and communities of color are more likely to be impacted by their proximity to interstates and highways, and shipping. As witnessed firsthand, being raised in Metro Detroit, and now as I raise my children in Illinois. Fuel economy standards would increase, for 24 million Americans, .30 million of them like my daughter that suffer from asthma. Disproportionally affect communities near freeways, and high-traffic areas, often low income communities and communities of color. As a person of faith I believe it's my moral obligation to post policies that engage the help of these families and communities. I want my children, and your children, to be able to breathe clean air and have a livable climate. NHTSA's alternative 3 proposal can deliver on the Biden administration stated commitment through environmental justice in combating  climate change. Therefore I urge you to issue the strongest link our standard possible. Clean cars possible 
 Thank you Christina. Our neck speaker will be Ramon Cruz with the Sierra Club. 
 Ramon if you can accept the camera request, and enable your microphone by clicking on the red icon. The red microphone icon. 
 Okay. It seems like you can already hear me. Okay perfect. Tank you so much. Tank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Ramon Cruz, the president of the Sierra Club, the nation's largest the notion the oldest grassroots organization. I live in Brooklyn New York. Originally from Puerto Rico. Here on behalf of millions of Americans and supporters that work around on a range of issues advocating for a better future, climate action. Yesterday I received, indigenous leaders from communities, all over the country. To demand President Biden honors the commitment he made during the campaign. Using his authority to stop approving fossil fuel projects right now. I am here today to urge NHTSA  to send the strongest role possible, in order to address a huge part of the fossil fuel equation. Which is our transportation system. Polluting cars and trucks on our roads are making communities across the nation suffer from a range of health issues. And fossil fuel development is damaging our Everglades and indigenous sites, often times the same communities being harmed by fossil fuel development are also breathing in diesel pollution from engines. The majority of our vehicles today are making the climate crisis worse. And they are expensive, to fuel, and own as well. If people spend excessive amounts of money at the gas pump. Often a large part of families expenses. So leaving a healthy and safe community free from toxic fossil fuel pollution, and accessible mobility options. I'm urging NHTSA to finalize the strong role that will make our cars and trucks more efficient than ever , spurring innovation and ensuring vehicles are manufactured in the US and by you devised, unionized workforces. The strongest fossil fuel economy standards to drive down vehicle pollution, protect human health, and save consumers money at the pump. In this regulation, it can and should rule the market, in extraordinary ways. The administration cannot afford to give any more loopholes to the audio industry. It's very important that you not allow automakers away to get credit for technologies that do not result in a better world, in a real-world fuel economy. The auto industry has finally made commitments to people, and what comes out of the rulemaking such as, like the one we are talking today, is key to getting us there. Thank you very much for the opportunity to testify today. 
 Thank you Ramon. Next Joe Lynn Rihanna, can you message us. Okay. 
 I see you are available. 
 If you would like to leave your comments click on the red microphone button to turn your microphone on. 
 Again, Joe Lynn, you are promoted to panelist. You can turn your microphone on to began leaving your comments. Okay. And I believe she is not available. So we will go, cat if you want to help. 
 Carolyn if you would go to the audio pane, if you can hear me. In the audio pane is the control panel, you will see a drop-down  and maybe it is selecting the wrong microphone and speakers. There is a microphone icon in the upper right corner that is read. If you click on that you can unmute your line. Carolyn is dialing in. 
 Okay as we wait for Carolyn to dial in, if Deborah is available, please contact us using the question pane  to let us know you would like to leave your comment. 
 Again, if there is anyone who would like to leave their comments, if they are logged in right now, please message us using the question pane  and we will promote you so you can turn on your microphone and your video, and you can leave your comment. This will be the final call before we go to the final speakers. If you are logged in, and would like to leave your comments, please message us using the question pane . 
 And Carolyn it looks like you are trying to dial in. You should have received a pin, to use so you can dial in. We still have several speakers scheduled. We will resume at 5:15 PM and expect to wrap up about 5:30 PM. 
 So Jerilyn if you want to log out and try to come back in, we will take a break until 5:15 PM. At this time we will go on break, and resume at 5:15 PM ET. Anyone who would like to speak, please send a message to the question pane . And we will promote you so you can leave your comment. Thank you. [Event taking a short break until 5:15 PM ET. Captioner standing by.] 
 Welcome back everyone. Before we had to the neck speaker, I would like to remind everyone that this will be the last group of people leaving comments. If you are connected, and would like to leave your comment, please contact us using the question pane . The following individuals are listed to speak, that have not contacted us. Danny Katz, Mark Cooper, and Ken. Again, Danny Katz, Mark Cooper, and Ken. If you are logged in, and would like to leave your comments, please contact us using the question pane . And now we will go to the next speaker. I believe we have Jerilyn connected. 
 Yes, can you hear me? Yay. Good. Thank you for the opportunity to speak about this critical topic. I am a board member of the Lakeshore community Health Center, a member of the Sheboygan ozone reduction alliance in Sheboygan Wisconsin. I am a church schoolteacher, and most importantly I'm a mother and grandmother. From the American lung Association website, Sheboygan County consistently scores F on ozone particle pollution, and the average number of high ozone days is unattainable. Pediatric asthma cases, in Sheboygan County, 1072 adult asthma cases, in Sheboygan County. This year, 9158. I am probably going to make that 9159, because I am having real problems when I go for a bike ride. With breathing, a runny nose, et cetera. The American lung Association is predicting the number of days of extreme heat, in Sheboygan County, that heat over 90 degrees is going to be 36. 36 numbers of days of extreme heat. We have to pass this resolution. Actually ultimately what we need is for president Biden, the by the administration to drive a nationwide transition to a zero emission vehicles now. I would like to live to see my granddaughters ride a bike without dying. Thank you. That is all. 
 Thank you Jerilyn. And next, we would like to hear from Deborah Rappaport. Deborah if you can accept. 
 I think we are looking at your computer monitor? It is okay if you want to give your comments orally. 
 If you turn it off and back on. It always does this. 
 I can turn it around. I can't tell if you can see me, how is that quick 
 We can hear and see you. 
 I am Deborah Rappaport, cochair of Minnesota, Congregational Rabbi. I'm here to testify as a religious litter and an American citizen in support of the Department of Transportation, adapting the strongest possible standards. I love what the woman said about zero emissions and fuel economy standards. I would like to share a very brief teaching from the Bible, from the Old Testament. In service of my case, for the strong limits on pollution. Deuteronomy 20, 19 and 20, commands even in wartime, even when lives are on the line, armies may not destroy a fruit tree. The Bible asked rhetorically, are the trees of the field human so that they can run away from you into the walled city? The subtext of this verse is not all of what nature supplies is ours to destroy. Even in a time of war, one does not destroy fruit trees, all the more so should one not destroy or waste anything under normal circumstances. My colleague says the rule given the talk for literally and fundamentally sustainability, about what sustains you. Don't destroy the sources that nourish your lives over the generation for a moment. No matter how dire. So I was in a so-called knees, needs, burning of fossil fuels, enabled by clean car standards. This issue is not 9 and the time delay is long. The technology exist to protect the quality of the air we breathe, as well as the earth and climate. None of which of the powers speak for themselves. Moreover as citizens, I believe the intentionality and creativity, can and will work well and thrive with a strong clean car and fuel standards. Although some have anyway, it is not the job of the manufacturers to regulate themselves. So that would mean strong, clear government, thank you for the opportunity to share these reflections. 
 Thank you Deborah. The neck speaker will be Stephen Sodom  with Sierra. 
 
 If you could please join, it looks like Stephen is unable to be promoted. 
 Stephen is on the telephone, joined with the app and cannot be promoted. 
 What we can do, Stephen we will reach out to you via email. We will get you a call in number so you can come back on and provide your comments. 
 Okay. So we will go to the next speaker. The neck speaker will be Barry and Davis with the league of conservation voters. Darren if you can accept the camera request. And click on the red microphone icon. 
 Hello and thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify on the role today. My name is Darren Davis and I am of governors advocate for climate and energy at the LCV. On behalf of the LCV, 30 state partner organizations. I appreciate the Biden administrations action. Undoing the harmful rollback of the previous administration, it has to be a top priority since day one. Now the proposal, I urge NHTSA  to create the strongest possible fuel economy standard for vehicles. To finalize alternative 3 of this proposed rule. I am asking the strongest possible fuel economy standard, NHTSA can rapidly advance  the electrification of the transportation sector. As you know, the transportation sector is the largest source of omissions. The bold action to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles, as possible. The strongest possible version of this rule, will do much more than reducing pollution and helping climate change. It will help secure and grew auto sector jobs, for families and communities. As a young consumer I'm hoping to purchase my first vehicle soon. Rising gas costs and could the pollution from vehicles, yesterday crude oil prices hit the high of $75 a barrel. Roughly $2.86 a gallon of gas at the pump. It is more expensive to own and operate gas stations here. I am one of many potential buyers to express this concern. A 2020 Consumer Reports survey found 94% of America's were planning to buy or lease a vehicle in the next 2 years, so fuel economy is important to them. For me, purchasing a zero emission vehicle is a no-brainer. I would like to save money while reducing carbon footprint . the strongest role to join, approximately 60 to 70% of new car sales by 2023. I urge the administration to set the highest standards finalizing alternative 3. simply put, the standards are practical and help to maximize electric vehicles. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. 
 Thank you Darien. Again, the following individuals if you are logged in, and would like to leave their comments, please contact us through the question paying. Danny Katz, Mark Cooper, and Karen Cooper sure. If you are logged on, and would like to give comment, please message us using the question paying., Question paying. 
 The question panel. 
 Right now we're holding for Stephen Sodom . He had technical issues before, we are working with him to see if we can patch him in via telephone. 
 Again, if Danny Katz, Mark Cooper, or Ken are logged in, please contact us using the question panel, so we can promote you and you may leave your comments. 
[Captioners transitioning] 
Again, we are holding for Steve, [ Indiscernible name ],  and maybe he will be available soon. Thank you for your patience.
 As a reminder, we would like everyone to know that will speakers -- we are accepting written comments to regulations.gov. And NHTSA/café . They can be submitted anytime until midnight October 26. Date comments will be considered to the extent possible. Okay, I believe we have Stephen on. 
 Hello. Can you hear me? 
 Yes. 
 This has been troublesome. Thank you I live in Chicago and my name is Stephen I am a leader in the club of transportation, smart transportation effort. I happen coordinating with her transportation chair, one in each state for +10 years. I went to three of the climate change conferences. Cancun, Durban, and Paris. In Paris, the United States was sort of hand, -- I'm sorry in Durban in 2011. We were panned because a lot of our measures for climbing chain were not up to par. One thing we were congratulated on, and admired for was Obama's Café standard. And it's too bad we got away from those. I think this speaks to the industry. The industry, the manufacturing industry can be heroes rather than bombs. They were actually able to adjust to the CAFE standards  the very next day after it was put out in 2010. However it came out with cars. Cars able to meet the standards. Now of course it has gone the other way this industry could be heroes. Rather than bombs. The future is going to reward companies that protect our environment, in a way that works for us, and gets what we need done. There is obviously, everybody has said thus far, it is a terrible situation but in this case, the manufacturing situation of automobiles could be really making significant progress, 32% 40% reduction in greenhouse gases one of the quickest and best ways. So I encourage them to do that. I'm sorry. And a lot of this needs to be done by 2030 in order to make a significant dent. Which means in the way of available technology to the consumer. These are companies which can make a major difference. And another point I want to make. That is the advantage of TVs. Many of the manufactures have stated, GM and others that they will have EV available by 2030. I'm sorry got they will start or stop making engines. They will start now. And predominant by 2030 to 35. So the availability to meet the CAFE standards will be much easier than before because there will be so many  EV's that get next to nothing.
 Thank you for your comments, Stephen. Now I will hand it over to Dr. Stephen Cliff. NHTSA acting administrator . 
 Thank you, excuse me, thank you, I appreciate it. And thank you very much for the dozens of very thoughtful and detailed comments. I appreciate hearing from everyone, including many factors, wires, environmental and other NGOs. Parents, grandparents, and so many others. And I know this is an issue many of you are very passionate about. I especially appreciate the comments from individuals from destination. Who took time out of your busy day to message strong interest in our fuel economy rules. I also want to think my staff is putting together and leading this very important hearing, and for those of many that were on camera listening, or those behind the scenes. Taking notes but I know this is very important that we continue to record these comments. I do recommend to speakers that you submit the text of your oral comments, as written comments to the rulemaking docket. Or to the draft supplemental environmental impacts document as appropriate. If you are listening today and you decide later you would like to submit a comment, you may also submit them to one of those dockets. For more information please visit our website at NHTSA.gov/ tran02. CAFE You will scroll down and you will see the blue horizontal bar that says, comment on the proposal. And those links will take you to the relevant documents. I'm sorry, the relevant docket. Again, thank you very much for your time. I really appreciate it. These comments are extremely important and an important part of this significant rulemaking gaffer. Please enjoy the rest of your day and thank you. 
 [ Event Concluded ]