Obama Administration + Tougher Emission Standards = Increased Fuel Economy + Better Environment!

President Barrack ObamaBarrack Obama made plans to announce tougher standards for green house gases emissions for new vehicles in United States in hopes of making the first ever nationwide regulation of green house gases. The rules which will begin to take effect in 2012 will not be affecting cars already on the road.

The new standards aim to increase the fuel efficiency of automobile sold in the United States to a minimum of 35.5 miles per gallon up from 25 miles per gallon by 2016. A senior administration official said that the regulation would save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 900 million metric tons over the lifetime of more efficient vehicles.

According to a senior official, “That is equivalent to taking 177 million cars off the road or shutting down 194 coal plants.” The good news is that this plan of setting tougher standards for emissions was not only heartily accepted by environmental activists which was more or less expected but the automobile industry also welcomed the news.

Automobile officials claim that the new nation-wide emission standards would provide them with a clear timetable and goals to turn around the business at a time when major automakers are in deep financial trouble and are seeking financial help from Washington. Siding with their opinion, the environmental activists have actively praised the proactive policy of the government after years of delay and in action.

Although the proposed plan will increase the cost of a car by approximately $600, on top of about $700 added from recent fuel economy rules, but in the long run, the money is going to be worth paying on two grounds. First, the fuel efficient cars will give more mileage per gallon and second, there will be lesser damage to the environment resulting from lesser greenhouse gases emission.