New standards proposed as President reiterates his commitment to tackling climate change
By James Murray
The Obama administration yesterday confirmed long-awaited plans to crank up auto fuel efficiency standards to 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2025, a doubling of current average fuel efficiency.
The move came as President Obama made his first detailed public comments on climate change policy in months, reiterating his commitment to cutting carbon emissions while admitting it would be a “tough slog” to get a global climate change agreement.
The proposed new standards build on current fuel efficiency rules which require automakers to improve average efficiency from 27 mpg to 35.4 mpg by 2016.
The new standards, which were trailed earlier this year, will now be subject to consultation and are expected to be rubberstamped next summer before coming into effect from 2017.
Under the rules, new cars would have to deliver an annual fuel efficiency improvement of five per cent, while light trucks, vans, pick ups and SUVs will have to improve at a rate of 3.5 to 5 per cent.
According to the government the measures will reduce US oil imports by up to 2.2 million barrels a day by 2025, equating to almost a quarter of current imports.
However, the proposals could yet face political obstacles with a Committee in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives currently investigating whether federal or state rules should govern fuel efficiency.
Obama yesterday hailed the progress on fuel efficiency standards during his trip to Australia, citing the new rules as evidence the US is taking steps to curb carbon emissions.
Speaking during a press conference, Obama insisted he remained committed to taking steps to tackle climate change and delivering an international agreement for curbing greenhouse gas emissions globally.
“Ultimately, what we want is a mechanism whereby all countries are making an effort,” he said. “And it’s going to be a tough slog, particularly at a time when a lot of economies are still struggling. But I think it’s actually one that, over the long term, can be beneficial.”
He added that the fuel efficiency standards would deliver significant reductions in emissions, stressed that the US was investing in clean energy research, and praised Australia’s recently introduced carbon tax as a “bold strategy”.
Climate change and energy policy is likely to prove a major dividing line during next year’s US Presidential elections with Republican’s vehemently opposed to environmental regulations and several of the leading presidential candidates expressing scepticism over climate change science.
Obama insisted that he remained committed to the low carbon agenda, despite seeing numerous green policy measures blocked by Congress.
“I share the view of your prime minister and most scientists in the world that climate change is a real problem and that human activity is contributing to it, and that we all have a responsibility to find ways to reduce our carbon emissions,” he said.
“As we move forward over the next several years, my hope is, is that the United States, as one of several countries with a big carbon footprint, can find further ways to reduce our carbon emissions.
“I think that’s good for the world. I actually think, over the long term, it’s good for our economies as well, because it’s my strong belief that industries, utilities, individual consumers – we’re all going to have to adapt how we use energy and how we think about carbon.”

(Source: www.businessgreen.com )