Congresswoman Jackie Speier praised President Obama for today’s announcement of higher fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.

“President Obama did the right thing by raising fuel efficiency standards,” she said. “I think he could have set the number higher, but this is a good start. Still, these standards don’t take effect until 2011. To spur sales of fuel efficient cars immediately, I have introduced H.R. 1808, the Clean Car Rebate Act of 2009, to provide a direct-to-consumer rebate check to anyone buying a cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicle.”

The legislation, which is supported by the Union of Concerned Scientists, provides a direct-to-consumer rebate check of $1,000 to anyone buying a new passenger vehicle with a combined 28 miles-per-gallon rating in 2009. The rebate amount increases for more efficient vehicles – up to $2,500 for cars with a combined rating of 33 mpg or more. For 2010, the efficiency requirements increase by 2 mpg.  Thereafter, the government would set mileage requirements so that the previous mileage goals for 2020 are achieved by 2015.

This rebate can help substantially reduce the cost of a new car, especially for the least expensive vehicles on the market, like the Chevrolet Aveo or Nissan Versa, both retailing in the $10,000 range and, at 30 and 29 combined mpg, eligible for a $2,000 and $1,500 rebate, respectively.

The Congresswoman, who sits on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, has introduced the bill along with Congressman Mike Thompson, who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee. “After working with auto dealers, environmentalists and scientists, I am confident that this bill is both beneficial to our environment and will provide a needed boost to local economies.”