Green Light for U.S. Clean Car Standards

" EPA Gives Green Light to State Clean Car Standards "

Action Will Reduce Global Warming, Cut Reliance on Foreign Oil, Save Consumers Money at the Gas Pump

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision today to grant California's long-standing request to carry out Clean Car standards immediately clears the way for emission standards in California and 13 additional states to cut global warming pollution.

President Obama forged an agreement with states and auto makers on May 19th providing for a national clean car program in model years 2012 to 2016 that is based on the state standards.Cars and light trucks are one of America's largest sources of global warming pollution, and the fastest growing. Cars and light trucks account for nearly one-third of greenhouse gas emission in California and about 16 percent of U.S. global warming pollution.

The national program would achieve a five percent annual improvement in fuel economy from today's fleet average of 25.1 miles per gallon (mpg) to 35.5 mpg in 2016.

"The states have pioneered clean car standards that reduce one of this country's leading sources of global warming pollution while strengthening our national and economic security," said Derek Walker, director of Environmental Defense Fund's California Climate Initiative.

On May 19th, the President announced a landmark agreement to adopt federal emission standards for model years 2012 through 2016 that apply the state clean car program nationwide. EPA estimates the national program would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. light-duty fleet 19 percent by 2030.