Administration to unveil fuel economy, GHG strategy

May 19 -- The Obama administration plans today to unveil a comprehensive national fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions strategy for the nation´s cars, light truck and sports utility vehicles.

Environmentalists and representatives of the automobile industry are expected to join the administration in announcing the new standards, which would mirror standards California already has proposed for adoption in that state.

The new standards would cut greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles by about 30% by 2016, while boosting the industry average fuel efficiency standard to 35.5 miles per gallon.

"In addition to dramatically reducing the global warming emissions from our vehicles, this move will slash our dependence on oil and make us more energy independent," said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade association, also is giving its endorsement to the program, saying it will prevent a patchwork of regulations among states and will allow automakers to plan for the future by knowing standards that will be implemented in future years.

"What´s significant about the announcement is it launches a new beginning, an era of cooperation," said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the alliance. "The president has succeeded in brining three regulatory bodies, 15 states, a dozen automakers and many environmental groups to the table," he said. "We´re all agreeing to work together on a national program."

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who chairs the Senate environment committee and has lobbied for California´s right to adopt auto emissions standards, also praised the agreement on a new national standard.

"This is good news for all of us who have fought long and hard to reduce global warming pollution, create clean energy jobs, and reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil," Boxer said.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at 330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com