Auto regulations released this week by the White House will curb U.S. oil dependence by about 1.4 million barrels of oil per day by 2020, nearly as much as we currently import from Saudi Arabia, according to analysis done by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
The UCS praised the fuel efficiency and emissions standards, which it said will dramatically reduce heat-trapping emissions from the nation’s cars and trucks.
UCS said compared to staying at today’s fuel economy and emissions levels, implementing the standard outlined in the plan would:
- cut heat-trapping emissions by 230 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2020, equivalent to taking 34 million of today’s cars and light trucks off the road that year
- deliver net savings to consumers of $30 billion in 2020, even after covering the cost of technology improvements, based on a gas price of $2.25 per gallon
- deliver $70 billion in net savings in 2020 if gas prices spike to $4 per gallon again.
"When candidate Obama went to Detroit, he told the automakers what they needed to hear–they had been making bad choices, and as president, he would steer a new course and revitalize the industry by bringing more fuel efficient vehicles to market," said Michelle Robinson, director of UCS’s Clean Vehicles Program. "Now President Obama is delivering on his promise to strengthen the auto industry, while reducing vehicle pollution and our dependence on oil."
Jim Kliesch, a senior engineer with the program, said automakers can use off-the-shelf technology, including cleaner engines, more efficient transmissions, better air conditioning systems and cleaner fuels, to meet the standards. "This agreement is the breakthrough the nation needs to cut carbon emissions and help consumers deal with volatile gas prices," Kliesch said. "Automakers have the technology they need to meet and beat these standards while saving consumers billions."
In Related News…
The Los Angeles Times reported on the behind the scenes dealmaking required to achieve the federal auto standard. White House negotiators were required to mix firm demands and major concessions in what Obama called a "template for more progress."
Read the report at the link below.
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