SAFE Praises Implementation of Fuel Economy Rules

WASHINGTON, April 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) today praised the Obama administration for implementing aggressive national fuel economy goals for cars and light trucks.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100215/SAFELOGO)

"It is gratifying to see the president following through on his pledge to pursue aggressive yet achievable fuel economy standards," SAFE President and CEO Robbie Diamond said. "It is important, however, to remember that this cannot be the end game when it comes to reducing our nation's dangerous dependence on oil. More efficient cars may help stave off disaster in the short term, but as long as they remain reliant on petroleum for their fuel, we remain at risk. That is why fuel diversity is so important as part of our long-term goal of a post-petroleum transportation sector."

The new rules, which were signed and put into effect today, will increase the national fleet-wide average standard for cars and light trucks to 35.5 miles per gallon (39 mpg for cars and 30 mpg for light trucks) by 2016, four years faster than required by the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA). The new standards will be applied nationwide.

In 2006, the Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC) -- a group of business executives and retired military leaders led by General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President and CEO of FedEx Corporation -- released their Recommendations to the Nation on Reducing U.S. Oil Dependence, helping shape 2007's EISA. In September 2008, the ESLC released A National Strategy for Energy Security, a new plan building on the accomplishments of 2007 by proposing the electrification of the short-haul transportation fleet along with all of the required infrastructural upgrades necessary for that effort, and measures -- including increased oil and natural gas production -- to keep our nation secure in the interim.

Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America's dependence on oil and improve U.S. energy security to bolster national security and strengthen the economy.

SOURCE Securing America's Future Energy

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