Citing climate-damaging tailpipe emissions, 23 US governors signed a pledge backing California leaders in their showdown with the Trump administration over its plans to relax vehicle mileage standards.
The stand by leaders of states and Puerto Rico nearly all Democrats comes as the Trump administration moves to freeze tougher mileage standards laid out by former President Barack Obama, in one of the previous administration's key efforts against climate change.
The Trump administration says American consumers increasingly want bigger, gas-guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks.
It also argues that demanding ever-more fuel-efficient vehicles will drive up automobile costs and keep less-safe, older vehicles on the road longer. Many engineers have challenged that claim.
The governors' pledge on Tuesday commits to sticking to the pre-Trump mileage goals a program of annual tightening in mileage standards that reduce climate-changing carbon emissions.
"We will not compromise on our responsibility to protect the health of our communities, our climate, and the savings consumers stand to gain at the pump," said the pledge, also signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
"We will continue to pursue additional concrete actions to fulfill this duty and defend against any threats."
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