NEWARK-U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today applauded the Obama Administration forfinalizingnew fuel efficiency and auto pollution standards that willdouble the fuel economy of new cars and trucks by 2025. The new standardsannounced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) willsave car owners thousands at the pump,reduce pollution that contributes to global warming, and cut America's dependence on oil.

"Stronger fuel economy standards mean that New Jersey drivers will spend less time and money at the gas pump,"Senator Lautenberg said."Making our cars and trucks go farther on a gallon of gas will clean up our air, save consumers money, and reduce America's reliance on oil. The Obama Administration's bold action to double fuel efficiency willbolsterU.S.leadershipon fuel saving technology."

"I applaud the Administration for finalizing these standardswhichwill save consumers tens of billions of dollars at the pump,"said Senator Menendez."By doing more with less gasoline we are safeguarding our drivers and our economy from high and volatile fuel prices. And by driving innovation in the auto industry,we are creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs while lowering emissions. This announcement is a home run for our drivers, our economy, and our environment."

Theruleannounced todaywill increase fuel economy standards for new cars and light trucks to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. Combined with standards for vehicles sold in model years 2012-2016 that were previously finalized by the Obama Administration,these standards will savethe averagedriverapproximately $8,000over the lifetime of theirvehicle.In addition, these standards willcut global warming emissions from cars and light trucks in half by 2025 and reduce U.S. oil consumption by more than 2 million barrels per day in 2025, which is approximately half as much oil as the U.S. imports from OPEC.

Earlier this year, Lautenberg and Menendez joined28 of their Senate colleagues inurging the Obama Administrationtofinalizeits proposed fuel efficiency and auto pollution standards.

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