SENATOR COLLINS CALLS FOR RAISING AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS FOR ALL VEHICLES TO 35 MPG BY MODEL YEAR 2019

               U.S. Senator Susan Collins today joined Senator Olympia J. Snowe and their colleagues, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Kerry (D-MA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) in introducing a measure to raise the average fuel economy standards for all vehicles, including SUVs and sedans, from 25 miles per gallon (mpg) to 35 mpg by model year 2019.    If passed, the bill would save:   ·        18 percent reduction of vehicular greenhouse gas emissions by 2025; or 350 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This is the equivalent of taking 60 million cars (or 50 million cars and light trucks) off the road in one year.    ·        2.1 million barrels of oil per day by 2025, nearly the amount of oil we currently import from the Persian Gulf.   “Improving the fuel economy of America’s automobile fleet is a national imperative and should be a priority in this Congress,” Senator Snowe said.  “By simply improving the efficiency of our cars by 10 miles per gallon over the next 10 years with technology already available we will lessen our dependence on foreign oil, reduce the cost of gasoline, and significantly reduce pollutants in our air.  This is a goal well within our reach that will pay dividends for generations to come, and I am pleased to join Senator Feinstein as we work to realize that goal.”   “Scientists are growing increasingly concerned about climate change, of which automobile emissions are a major contributor. Implementing commonsense CAFE standards will enable us to limit our dependence on foreign oil and will help to address global warming,” said Senator Collins.  “Our environment, our economy and American consumers need this legislation.”   The bill would also:   ·        Establish mandatory on-board fuel economy displays that show real-time fuel consumption to encourage more fuel efficient driving.    ·        Improve safety rulemaking standards:  The bill would require the Department of Transportation to set standards for the industry that will protect Americans in whatever car they choose to drive. The bill would mandate standards to mitigate the difference in weight and size between the largest and smallest vehicles, and improve bumper height compatibility between vehicles.   ·        Create a program to identify vehicles that meet or surpass mandatory fuel economy standards – the green label and the gold star label.   o       The green label would be for vehicles that meet or exceed the applicable fuel economy standard or have the lowest greenhouse gas emissions.   o       The gold star label would be for vehicles that achieve a fuel economy at least 50 mpg, and for light trucks with 37 mpg or higher.   ###