GOV. RITTER APPLAUDS NEW AUTO EMISSION AND MILEAGE STANDARDS

 

Gov. Bill Ritter today applauded the Obama administration for establishing new automobile emission and efficiency standards that will begin to take effect in 2012.

 

"President Obama's historic agreement to reduce automobile emissions and increase fuel efficiency will help transition America to a clean energy economy and a new energy future," Gov. Ritter said.

 

"These new standards will help break our dependence on foreign oil, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, benefit consumers, and provide much-needed economic certainty and stability to the auto-manufacturing industry.

 

"These standards come at a time when America also is beginning to prepare for a new era of alternative-fuel cars and trucks and expanded fleets of compressed natural gas vehicles.

 

"From a broader perspective, a national policy -- rather than state-by-state policies -- is better and more efficient for everyone, including auto manufacturers and consumers. The new rules also will be a perfect fit with Colorado's New Energy Economy and our Climate Action Plan, which calls for a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050."