| | | Obama orders up new mileage standards for big rigs
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By Ben Wolfgang The Washington Times Tuesday, February 18, 2014..
washingtontimes.com
Linking increased fuel economy to the larger issue of economic growth, President Obama on Tuesday directed his administration to write new rules to improve mileage for the nation’s big-rig trucks.
Mr. Obama made the announcement during a speech at a suburban Maryland Safeway distribution center and cast it as the latest move in his so-called “year of action,” a time he’ll act without Congress wherever possible.
“Improving gas mileage for these trucks is going to drive down our oil imports even further,” Mr. Obama said. “That reduces carbon pollution even more, cuts down on businesses’ fuel costs, which should pay off in lower prices for consumers. So it’s not just a win-win. It’s a win-win-win.”
The president added, “The economy is growing. We’re creating jobs. We’re generating more clean energy. We’re cutting our dependence on foreign oil. We’re pumping out less dangerous carbon pollution. If we keep going down this road then we’re going to have a future full of good-paying jobs.”
Under current federal standards, medium and heavy-duty trucks must reduce their fuel consumption by 10 percent to 20 percent by 2018. The president’s new proposal — which won’t be finalized until 2016 — will set even more ambitious goals the trucking industry much achieve in the years after 2018.
The nation’s large trucks make up about 4 percent of vehicles on American roads but are responsible for about 20 percent of carbon emissions, the president said.
The trucking industry said it’s willing to work with the administration but urged caution.
“Fuel is one of our industry’s largest expenses, so it makes sense that as an industry we would support proposals to use less of it,” said Bill Graves, president and CEO of the American Trucking Association. “However, we should make sure that new rules don’t conflict with safety or other environmental regulations, nor should they force specific types of technology onto the market before they are fully tested and ready.”
Mr. Obama’s new directive is part of a larger strategy to both reduce vehicle emissions and further cut down on U.S. dependence on foreign oil.The administration already has required cars and light-duty trucks to achieve an average fuel economy of 54.5 mpg by 2025.
Eager to see the president take more action on carbon pollution, environmental groups praised Tuesday’s announcement.
“The president’s initiative is an important step driving America toward a cleaner energy future,” said Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Strong heavy-truck efficiency standards will not only cut carbon pollution that fuels climate change, but also save consumers money every time they go to a store and save truckers money at the pump.”
Mr. Obama also announced $200 million in new and extended tax credits to encourage investment in vehicles that run on biofuels or other energy sources.
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