Pennsylvania Governor Rendell: Obama Administration's New National Auto Standards Are Good for Consumers, Economy, Environment

New Rules Will Save PA's Consumers $14 Billion in Fuel Costs, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 57 Million Metric Tons over Next Decade

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today praised President Barack Obama and his administration for announcing bold steps that will greatly reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, save motorists thousands of dollars, and help clean the air of climate-changing greenhouse gases.

In a joint announcement today, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the nation's first national standard for greenhouse gas emissions and rules that will greatly increase the fuel economy of passenger cars and light-duty trucks.

"Today's news from the Obama administration is great news for Pennsylvania and the entire nation, because cleaner cars are a big win for consumers, the environment and our national security," Governor Rendell said. "With access to more fuel-efficient vehicles, consumers will have to spend less time and money at the gas pump, which means fewer dollars going to foreign, oil-rich nations that may be hostile to our interests.

"The less fuel we burn, the cleaner our air will be," Governor Rendell said. "That will make our people and our planet much healthier for the long term."

According to the federal government, the new rules will reduce carbon dioxide emissions about 960 million metric tons and conserve about 1.8 billion barrels of oil—or the amount the U.S. now imports every six months from foreign sources—over the life of the vehicles that are subject to the requirements. Consumers who purchase a 2016 model year vehicle—the target year for attaining the new fuel economy standards—will save $3,000 over the life of that automobile by using less fuel.

According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, the new standards will cut Pennsylvania's vehicle carbon dioxide emissions by 57 million metric tons and save the state's motorists an estimated $14 billion in fuel costs over the next 10 years.

Transportation is responsible for more than one-quarter of Pennsylvania's greenhouse gas emissions, so enactment of the new emissions standards will help the state meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Pennsylvania has been pursuing cleaner standards for new vehicles based on California's Low Emissions Vehicle Program. The Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program was amended in 2006 to require automakers to sell new cars and light-duty trucks in Pennsylvania that are cleaner than would be required by the federal government, starting with model year 2008.

Pennsylvania's Clean Vehicles Program cuts volatile organic compounds as much as 12 percent and nitrogen oxide emission 9 percent more than the less stringent federal standards, resulting in a 5-11 percent greater reduction of six toxic air pollutants including benzene, a known carcinogen.

By establishing one nationwide standard, the new federal rules announced today also will help ease concerns that tougher standards in Pennsylvania would increase vehicle costs. Nearly all Mid-Atlantic states have already adopted tougher emission standards like those in place in Pennsylvania and California.  

For more information, visit www.epa.gov.

Media contacts:

Neil Weaver, Department of Environmental Protection, 717-787-1323

Michael Smith, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor