Easing of Fuel Economy Rules Is Challenged

Three consumer groups, four big cities and the state of California filed petitions in federal court Thursday challenging the government’s recent decision to relax fuel economy requirements for 1986 model cars.

The petitioners, who filed four separate challenges with the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, claim reducing the fleetwide mileage standards for 1986 passenger cars will increase automobile-related air pollution and gasoline consumption.

They requested court review of an October ruling by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that lowered the average fuel economy standard for 1986 car fleets to 26 miles per gallon from 27.5 mpg.

General Motors and Ford Motor had requested the rollback, claiming that it would be impossible for them to meet the higher requirement given consumers’ demand for larger, less fuel-efficient cars. Chrysler opposed any reduction in the standard.

“GM and Ford are capable of building fuel-efficient automobiles far exceeding 27.5 mpg, and they have had adequate lead time to get the job done,” said Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen, one of the groups filing suit. “The current stability in world oil prices is no reason for the Reagan Administration to weaken this vital conservation measure.”

Public Citizen was joined by the Center for Auto Safety, the Environmental Policy Institute and the Union of Concerned Scientists in its appeal. Another petition was filed by California Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp, a third by the cities of New York, Boston and Chicago and a fourth by Los Angeles.