President Barack Obama announced plans on Tuesday for a national fuel-economy and greenhouse-gas standard that would significantly increase mileage requirements for cars and trucks by 2016.
Obama called it “an historic agreement to help America break its dependence on oil, reduce harmful pollution and begin the transition to a clean energy economy.”
The new requirements mark the first time there has been a nationwide standard for emissions of greenhouse gases. They require an average mileage standard of 39 miles per gallon for cars and 30 mpg for trucks by 2016 – a jump from the current average for all vehicles of 25 miles per gallon.
Obama made the announcement in a Rose Garden ceremony flanked by representatives of auto workers unions and 10 auto manufacturers, plus elected officials including California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“In the past an agreement such as this would have been considered impossible. It’s no secret these are folks who’ve been at odds for years, even decades,” Obama said. But, he said, “The status quo is no longer acceptable.”
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