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REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE MARY PETERS
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
CAFE STANDARDS ANNOUNCEMENT
WASHINGTON, DC
APRIL 22, 2008
1:00 PM
Good afternoon, and thank you all for being here today.
The summer driving season is nearly here, and families everywhere are thinking
about their vacation plans. Unfortunately, the high gas prices are causing some
to cancel campsite reservations or re-evaluate that family road trip.
One of President Bush’s goals is to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of
oil. One way we can meet this goal is to reduce the amount of gas our cars use.
I arrived here today in a hybrid vehicle – a Saturn Aura that is regularly used
in our fleet of vehicles at DOT, which also includes flex-fuel SUVs used by my
security team. These are just some of the amazing fuel-saving technologies that
are now readily available.
I just spent some time looking at the group of fuel-efficient cars behind me.
All of them incorporate the latest and greatest technological breakthroughs in
fuel efficiency — easing the strain on both consumer wallets and our nation’s
fuel consumption.
Today, I am announcing new proposed fuel standards that are historically
ambitious, yet achievable.
Under the proposed rule, the fuel economy on a fleet-wide basis will increase by
an average of four-and-a-half percent annually through 2015 – a 25 percent
improvement over five years. This standard exceeds the 3.3 percent average
annual increase needed to reach the target passed by Congress last year.
For passenger cars, this means increasing fuel economy from the current 27.5
miles per gallon standard to an industry average of 35.7 miles per gallon by
2015.
For light trucks, the proposal calls for increases from 23.5 miles per gallon in
2010 to 28.6 miles per gallon in 2015.
All told, this proposal will save nearly 55 billion gallons of fuel over the
lifetime of the vehicles affected, which is those in model years 2011 through
2015. And it will save America’s drivers over $100 billion in fuel costs over
the lifetime of those vehicles.
Over the last six years, this Administration has twice made changes to our
nation’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, standards by increasing
mileage requirements for light trucks.
Last year, President Bush called for an energy plan that goes even further by
requiring attribute-based fuel efficiency standards for passenger vehicles. His
plan, called the “Twenty-in-Ten” initiative, was passed by Congress last year.
Our proposal ensures that we can accomplish these significant gains in fuel
economy by basing standards on vehicle attributes, such as size. An
attribute-based approach allows us to reduce fuel consumption without
sacrificing safety. We will not compromise safety in pursuit of increased fuel
efficiency. And, with this rule, we do not have to.
As some of you may know, today is Earth Day. It is nice to be out here under the
trees today – they serve as a reminder of the much larger world that exists
outside of concrete jungles like Washington, and as a reminder to breathe every
once in awhile.
This proposal will also help us all breathe a little easier by reducing carbon
dioxide emissions from tailpipes, cutting fuel consumption and making driving a
little more affordable.
In fact, the standards in this proposal would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by
an estimated 521 million metric tons, and is an important part of this
Administration’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally, as required by Congress, the proposal allows for automakers to earn
credits for exceeding CAFE standards. This will serve as an incentive for
companies to exceed these goals while giving manufacturers flexibility to meet
the standards without compromising their economic vitality.
Our goal is to save fuel, not endanger jobs. These credits allow us to do just
that.
As the vehicles behind me show, technology is making our cars as fuel efficient
as possible while maintaining safety. Our approach ensures that consumers can
enjoy the freedom to purchase the cars they want while requiring all
manufacturers to do more.
Looking at these vehicles, it is easy to see a not-too-distant future when cars
fueled by something other than gasoline will be readily available and
affordable. Until that time, however, we will continue to do what we can, safely
and efficiently, to improve gas mileage and help consumers spend less time – and
less money – at the pump.
Thank you, again. I am happy to take your questions at this time.
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