| September 9, 2010 |  |
Coalition Launches 60 MPG by 2025 Campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 9, 2010) — In a letter sent to the White House today, a coalition of 19 environmental and science organizations urged President Obama to set the strongest fuel efficiency and carbon pollution standards possible for new cars and trucks, as the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency move forward on requirements covering model years 2017 through 2025. The groups include Environment America, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and other groups.
The letter urges the president to increase fleet-wide average fuel efficiency to at least 60 miles-per-gallon while reducing greenhouse gas pollution to no more than 143 grams-per-mile by model year 2025. Additionally, the groups want the administration to reduce fuel consumption from long-haul tractors pulling van trailers by 35 percent and achieve the maximum standards for all other medium– and heavy-duty trucks—the first-ever standards for these vehicles.
According to an analysis from UCS and NRDC, setting standards at these levels would save 49 billion gallons of fuel and 535 million metric tons of heat-trapping carbon pollution in the year 2030, making strong standards a vital step in revitalizing the economy, creating jobs, cutting the carbon pollution that drives dangerous climate change, and reducing America’s dangerous dependence on oil.
The letter is part of a new national campaign to build support for strong vehicle standards. The coalition also unveiled a new website – www.go60mpg.org – and is planning online and print ad buys. The groups are also tapping their millions of members and supporters nationwide to demonstrate the overwhelming support for strong fuel standards.
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
