"A Day to Remember": NRDC Responds to Obama's Announcement on National Fuel Economy Standards for Vehicles

WASHINGTON (May 19, 2009) – President Barack Obama announced today new national fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council, attended the announcement at the White House, and following are her reflections on it:

“This was a day to remember. President Obama has forged a spirit of collaboration that will put Americans behind the wheel of much cleaner, higher mileage vehicles. It was amazing to see the president together with heads of 10 auto makers, the President of the United Auto Workers, the Speaker of the House, and the governors of California, Michigan and Massachusetts. For years, environmental and industry representatives have been fighting with each other, but today there was agreement. President Obama has brought about a peace treaty that will strengthen our economy, cut global warming pollution, reduce our oil dependence, and put the auto industry on the path to a clean energy future.”

Read NRDC’s previous statement on this announcement: http://www.nrdc.org/media/2009/090518.asp