CCA at White House for Obama’s announcement on tough GHG standards for automobiles

President and CEO Alberto B. Mendoza and Senior Policy Director Tim Carmichael today attended President Barack Obama’s press conference as he announced the adoption of a nationwide standard based on California’s landmark tailpipe emissions requirements.

From the beginning

The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) was one of the original co-sponsors of then Assemblymember Fran Pavley’s legislation (AB 1493, 2002) requiring automobile manufacturers to reduce global warming pollution from their new vehicles. From the beginning, CCA has been pushing for stricter emission standards and today, was proudly in D.C. applauding President Obama for his environmental leadership.

“When CCA began working on the Clean Cars Law in 2001, our focus was on California. We knew then that clean cars had to be part of our future – for our health, our economy and our environment. Today, we now know that this is Detroit’s future as well as our future,” said Mendoza.

Nation follows California's lead

These new federal standards will deliver the benefits of California’s groundbreaking leadership nationwide by increasing fuel efficiency across the vehicle fleet to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 – an eight mile increase from previous standards. “That is the equivalent of taking 58 million cars off the road for an entire year,” said Obama.

The new standards will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil which is more than the United States imported from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Libya and Nigeria last year alone, according to Obama.

As part of the historic agreement, the automakers will drop their lawsuits against California and other states, ending a painful and expensive seven-year battle between the industry, regulators and environmental advocates.

The future of Detroit lies in making cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles that will reduce air pollution and America’s dependence on foreign oil.

“We are honored to be part of this historical moment. It serves as another example of California leading the way for stronger national environmental policy,” Mendoza added.