House Dems press for Volkswagen emission hearing

Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are pushing for a hearing to probe Volkswagen’s circumvention of federal air pollution emission standards. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accused the German automaker of selling about 482,000 vehicles since 2008 that violate the Clean Air Act due to software installed on the vehicles that activates required air pollution protections only during emissions tests.

Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s Transportation and Public Assets Subcommittee said Republicans on the GOP-led panel should convene a hearing to investigate Volkswagen’s actions. 

{mosads}“Clearly, there appears to be a growing and pervasive disregard for consumer safety, public health, and environmental protections by some within the auto industry,” the lawmakers wrote. 

“By convening a hearing on the implications of deceptive practices within the auto industry, the committee can thoughtfully consider the negative consequences for U.S. taxpayers, auto workers, and federal regulatory agencies, and determine if adequate protections are in place to minimize or eliminate future occurrences,” the letter continued. 

Volkswagen has been embroiled in scandal since the EPA revealed that the company programmed vehicles to trick emissions testers into believing that its diesel cars released a much lower volume of nitrogen oxide than they actually do.

A “defeat device” in the vehicles made it so they would pass emissions tests. But in regular driving, the vehicles emitted up to 40-times more pollution.

Volkswagen has admitted to the accusations.

The EPA has said Volkswagen could face up to an $18 billion fine for its pollution violations.

The lawmakers said in their letter about the Volkswagen allegations that “such malfeasance is completely unacceptable to the American consumer and is likely a violation of federal law.” 

The letter was signed by Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) and Brendan Boyle (D-Calif.).