Last week, the Trump Administration refused to allow California to set its own car emission standards (CAFE standards) stricter than the national standard (a standard set by the Obama Administration, but rolled back by the Trump Administration). President Trump tweeted this will create, “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!” It certainly will create jobs for lawyers, as 23 states almost immediately sued the Administration.



The latest Economist/YouGov Poll finds the American people willing to let California set stricter fuel emissions standards (even though they would prefer one national standard in principle). They also (more narrowly) oppose the Administration’s denial of a waiver (which had been routinely granted in the past) to allow California to do just that.







About a third of Americans don’t necessarily trust auto companies to produce fuel-efficient cars without government-set fuel economy standards. This group is even more in favor of stricter standards.



The debate that the President referenced— jobs versus the environment — is not a debate for most Americans. By 78% to 9%, they believe it is possible to both protect the environment and protect jobs. But if they had to choose, they would prioritize the environment over jobs. Two years ago, the country was more divided: in April, 2017, 43% said they would prioritize the environment; 38% jobs.

Environment