Washington, D.C. – Dave McCurdy, President and CEO of the American Gas Association (AGA) today released the following statement regarding the announcement from the White House about standards that will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by Model Year 2025:
“In 2010, as President and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, I was honored to be part of an historic agreement with the Obama Administration to increase the mandatory fuel economy to 35.5 miles per gallon for cars and light-duty trucks by model year 2016. That effort created a blueprint for bringing together government and industry for a common purpose, and today’s final ruling for light duty vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards is the completion of that journey, and represents how far we have come as a nation in our efforts to increase our energy security and improve our environment.
“By broadening the application of the manufacturer’s incentives for vehicles that run on alternative fuels to include clean natural gas, the Obama Administration has taken a clear step towards reducing our dependence on foreign oil and improving our environment. From his State of the Union address, to the creation of an interagency working group and his support for safe and responsible development of unconventional domestic natural gas resources, this President has been a strong advocate for the role natural gas can play in our nation’s future. I am happy to see his continued leadership in this area.
“For years, American car manufacturers have been building and selling natural gas vehicles in other countries in far greater numbers than in the U.S. market. This decision by the Obama Administration will help those companies bring those vehicles and associated jobs to the United States.
“The many benefits of our domestic abundance of this clean energy source will make it possible to reevaluate every sector of our economy. Throughout the country, natural gas customers are benefitting from low and stable prices. Today’s announcement takes us closer to the day when Americans can enjoy these benefits when they fill up their cars.”