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On September 28, EPA and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHSTA) issued a joint proposal to establish new standards for light-duty vehicles that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy.  This joint proposed rulemaking follows the National Fuel Efficiency Policy announced by President Obama on May 19, 2009, responding to the country’s “critical need” to address global climate change and to reduce oil consumption.

EPA is proposing greenhouse gas emissions standards under the Clean Air Act, and NHTSA is proposing Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended.  These standards will apply to passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles, covering model years 2012 through 2016.  This National Program is intended to enable automobile manufacturers to build a single light-duty national fleet that satisfies all requirements under both programs while ensuring that consumers still have a full range of vehicle choices.

EPA and NHTSA will entertain comments on this proposal through November 27, 2009.  NHTSA and EPA will jointly hold three public hearings on the following dates: October 21, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan; October 23, 2009 in New York, New York; and October 27, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Further information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm for EPA and http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/ for NHTSA.