Author of California's Clean Cars Law Responds to Proposed Federal Fuel Economy Standards

 Contact: Deborah Hoffman
 916-651-4023 cell: 916-539-8687
deborah.hoffman@sen.ca.gov

Senator Pavley says cleaner cars save money and drive job creation

AGOURA HILLS, CA – Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) today issued the following statement in response to the Obama Administration’s proposed new fuel economy standards:

“It is rare that regulatory action will result in such a big win for the environment, national security, industry, the economy, and consumers in one package. These proposed standards will help clean our air, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, ensure automakers have the certainty they need to create jobs, and save consumers money at the pump. California has, and will continue to lead the world in creating markets for cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars. Right now, thousands of Californians are working to build this fleet and we must continue to create more jobs. Simply put, cleaner cars will save money and drive job creation”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today formally unveiled their joint proposal to set stronger fuel economy and greenhouse gas pollution standards for Model Year 2017-2025 passenger cars and light trucks. Cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are currently responsible for nearly 60 percent of U.S. transportation-related petroleum use and greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2002, Pavley authored California’s Clean Cars Bill (AB 1493), which was the first-in-the-world law to slash the amount of carbon dioxide spewing from auto tailpipes. President Obama adopted the so-called “Pavley Law” as the national standard in April of 2010.

Under the proposal released today, model year 2017-2025 passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States will have to earn a combined city/highway rating of 54.5 miles per gallon. These improvements will save consumers an average of up to $6,600 in fuel costs over the lifetime of a 2025 vehicle for a net lifetime savings of up to $4,400 after factoring in related increases in vehicle cost. Nationwide, the standards will slash oil consumption by 4 billion barrels and cut 2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas pollution over the lifetimes of the vehicles sold in those years.
Today’s action builds on the success of the first phase of the Obama Administration’s national program (2012-2016), which will raise fuel efficiency equivalent to 35.5 mpg by 2016.