In an important step forward for the Obama administration’s energy agenda, tighter standards for tailpipe emissions from new automobiles will be proposed today, establishing the first nationwide regulation for greenhouse gases. The new standards will also raise fuel efficiency targets to 35.5 miles per gallon for new passenger vehicles and light trucks by 2016 (the overall fleet average would have to be 35.5 mpg by 2016, with passenger cars reaching 39 mpg and light trucks at 30 mpg under a system that develops standards for each vehicle class size) – four years ahead of the requirements outlined in the 2007 energy bill.
The administration’s proposed change in rules would, for the first time, combine pollution reduction from vehicle tailpipes with increased efficiency on the road. It is estimated that 1.8 billion barrels of oil will be saved through 2016, which is the environmental equivalent of taking 177 million cars off the road, said senior administration officials speaking anonymously, ahead of the announcement.
For more information: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/18/AR2009051801848.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090519/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_autos