FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2010

Contact: Coalition for Clean Air
Policy Director Nidia Bautista, cell (562) 237-1433
Communications Director Monica Howe, office (213) 630-1192 x105

White House announces expansion of emission standards

Washington, D.C. – Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) Policy Director Nidia Bautista watched from her seat in the White House Rose Garden today as President Obama announced the next round of federal auto emission standards. CCA was one of the few environmental organizations invited to this important event, where plans were unveiled to increase fuel economy and curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards nationwide.

The administration just last month finalized the initial round of plans, which will raise the fuel economy of cars and trucks and cut GHG emissions for 2012-16. Modeled after California’s Clean Cars Law, which CCA originally co-sponsored, those measures set the bar for the nation. The next round will raise that even further, setting standards for cars and light trucks starting in 2017, as well as for medium- and heavy-duty trucks from 2014-18. These measures have the potential to drastically reduce oil use and CO2 emissions, while saving Americans billions of dollars at the pump.

Consumers in California and across the nation are demanding cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars. In a survey released Tuesday by Consumer Federation of America and Consumer Action, an overwhelming majority of respondents said it is “important that the country reduce its consumption of oil” and that “the government should increase the fuel economy standard to an average of 50 mpg by 2025.” With the Gulf oil disaster a daily reminder of our overdependence on oil, now is the time to put clean cars on the fast track.

Statement of CCA Policy Director Nidia Bautista: 

CCA is greatly encouraged by this progress, and we are honored to be recognized by the Obama administration for our historical role and continued efforts in advancing cleaner transportation. Today’s action serves as further testament to the far-reaching effects of our work. We are committed to moving forward in California with advanced clean cars standards for 2017-25, as well as to working with federal agencies to ensure the strongest possible standards nationwide.

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With offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Fresno, the Coalition for Clean Air is California's clean air advocate. Since 1971, we have worked to restore California's air quality through advocacy, outreach and education.