‘Obama Unveils ‘Historic! Car Efficiency Standards | Print| Posted by geri Wednesday, 20 May 2009 President Obama yesterday announced what amounts oa historic shift in climate change policy, a new rule that strengthens fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for cars. In a show of unity, Obama was joined in the Rose Garden by the Presidents or CEOs of ten automobile manufactures and the United Auto Workers as he proclaimed a new consensus where "Everybody wins.” The program will require an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 miles per gallon for all new trucks and cars sold in the United States in the model year 2016, including SUVs ~ from the current 25 mpg. The deal would save a projected 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life ofthe 8-year program. Or, in the President's words, "more oil than we imported last year from. Saudi Arabia, Venczuela, Libya, and Nigeria combined." ‘Addressing concems about whether these changes would mean higher car costs, the President explained that those costs, estimated to average about $600 per car, would be offset in just three years, and that "over the life of a vehicle, the typical driver would save about $2,800 by getting better gas mileage." A top auto industry spokesman summed it up in a statement before the event began: " What’ significant about the announcement is it launches a new beginning, an era of cooperation. After seven long years of debate over whether states or the federal goverment should regulate autos, the President has succeeded in bringing three regulatory bodies, 15 states, a dozen automakers and many environmental groups tothe table... We're all aagrecing to work together on a National Program.” ‘A ational policy on fuel economy standards and greenhouse gas emissions is welcomed by the auto manufacturers because it POvideS Gy. guy sip regulatory certainty and predictability ~ rather than varying state and Yew GM's Full inoup Get Details All federl standards ~ and include fexbites that wil significantly On Ove Stel reduce the cost of compliance, oe “Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called the program “the biggest leap in history to make automobiles more ful efficient." tees ees ceca ea ‘Become a more efficient criver atthe touch ofa button, Lear more Itis the first U.S. national limit on greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental leaders applauded but will push for more stringent standards. “This isan important step forward in fulfilling the promise to make the United States a leader in the fight against global warming,” said Brian Nowicki, California climate policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “But it is critical that we continue to push for more ambitious automobile standards; under today’s proposal the U.S. ap ots? ppc carting er pagptraether Obra tr io Cr San sar sssam is critical that we continue to push for more ambitious automobile standards; under today’s proposal the U.S. fuel economy would stil be lower in 2016 than China achieves today. Current European and Japanese standards are approximately 43.3 and 42.6 mpg, respectively; China’s standard is 35.8 mpg this yea. Govemors Amold Schwarzenegger of California and Jennifer Granholm of Michigan attended the announcement with Mr. Obama, Automakers in the group included executives from Ford, Toyota, General Motors, Honda, Chrysler, BMW AG, Nissan, Mercedez-Benz, Mazda, Volkswagon, Comments (0)"3. [ASubseribe to this comment's feed Write comment Bookmark: Ba Close Window ph ptm n/a eo tanta Sepp. aga