The proposed program includes [image-nocss] miles-per-gallon requirements under the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (CAFE) program and the first-ever national emissions standards under EPA's greenhouse gas program. The collaboration of federal agencies for this proposal also allows for clearer rules for all automakers, instead of three standards (DOT, EPA and a state standard).Specifically, the program would: Increase fuel economy by approximately 5% every year. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 950 million metric tons. Save the average car buyer more than $3,000 in fuel costs. Conserve 1.8 billion barrels of oil. The proposed national program would require model year 2016 vehicles to meet an estimated combined average emission level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide per mile. Under the proposed program, the overall light-duty vehicle fleet would reach 35.5 miles per gallon (mpg) in model year 2016, if all reductions were made through fuel economy improvements. If this occurs, Congress' fuel economy goal of 35.0 mpg by 2020 will be met four years ahead of schedule. This would surpass the CAFE law passed by Congress in 2007, which required an average fuel economy of 35 mpg in 2020.
The light-duty vehicles subject to this proposed national program account for about 40% of all U.S. oil consumption. The program will provide important energy security benefits by conserving 1.8 billion barrels of oil, which is twice the amount of oil (crude oil and products) imported in 2008 from the Persian Gulf countries, according to the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA) office. These standards also provide important energy security benefits as light-duty vehicles account for about 60% of transportation oil use.
The proposal builds on principles President Obama announced with automakers, the United Auto Workers, leaders in the environmental community, governors and state officials in May, said LaHood and Jackson, and would provide coordinated national vehicle fuel efficiency and emissions standards.
The proposed program would also conserve billions of barrels of oil, save consumers money at the pump, increase fuel economy and reduce millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions, according to LaHood and Jackson.
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"American drivers will keep more money in their pockets, put less pollution into the air and help reduce a dependence on oil that sends billions of dollars out of our economy every year. By bringing together a broad coalition of stakeholdersincluding an unprecedented partnership with American automakerswe have crafted a path forward that is win-win for our health, our environment and our economy," said Jackson.
"The increases in fuel economy and the reductions in greenhouse gases we are proposing today would bring about a new era in automotive history," LaHood said. "These proposed standards would help consumers save money at the gas pump, help the environment and decrease our dependence on oil--all while ensuring that consumers still have a full range of vehicle choices."
EPA and NHTSA have worked closely to develop this coordinated joint proposal and have met with many stakeholders including automakers to insure the standards proposed are both "aggressive" and "achievable" given the current financial state of the auto industry, the statement said.
NHTSA and EPA expect automobile manufacturers would meet these proposed standards by improving engine efficiency, transmissions and tires, as well as increasing the use of start-stop technology and improvements in air-conditioning systems. EPA and NHTSA also anticipate that these standards would promote the more widespread use of advanced fuel-saving technologies like hybrid vehicles and clean diesel engines.
NHTSA and EPA are providing a 60-day comment period that begins with publication of the proposal in The Federal Register. For the proposal and information about how to submit comments,click herefor the EPA andclick here for the NHTSA.
NHTSA has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed CAFE standards. The Draft EIS compares the environmental impacts of the agency's proposal and reasonable alternatives. NHTSA is providing a 45-day comment period on the Draft EIS. Information on the submission of comments is provided at the above NHTSA Web address.
Click hereto read the full text of Jackson's speech.
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