The Obama administration is planning new fuel efficiency and carbon emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Later this summer, the EPA and NHTSA are expected to issue draft rules covering medium- and heavy-duty trucks and vans, vocational vehicles, and trailers sold after 2018. These new rules will save consumers and businesses money at the pump, lessen the economic and national security threats presented by oil dependence and price volatility, and help American manufacturers develop new technologies that spur investment in research, development, and production of advanced vehicles. The fuel efficiency standards for medium and heavy duty vehicles built from 2014-2018 alone will save owners and operators an estimated $50 billion in fuel costs and the U.S. a projected 530 million barrels of oil. New standards could cut fuel use by 1.4 million barrels per day by 2030. For more information on the coming fuel efficiency standards, click here.
What can you do to help? In order to encourage strong fuel efficiency standards, please consider contacting EPA Administrator McCarthy and Department of Transportation Secretary Foxx to express your support for the rulemaking process. 5 Lakes Energy and the Pew Charitable Trusts have a sign-on letter in progress. If you are interested in reviewing the letter and/or are willing to sign on, please contact Jamie Scripps at jscripps@5lakesenergytest.flywheelsites.com. Your support makes all the difference! Thank you for your engagement on this important issue!