WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 16, 2016) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released the final Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles. The BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Kim Glas:

“From super-duty pickups in Ohio to advanced engines and transmissions in Michigan, and from innovative long-haul trucks in North Carolina to electric transit buses in South Carolina and California, American workers are building some of the cleanest advanced trucks in the world. With today’s finalization of Phase 2 medium and heavy-duty vehicle standards, the United States takes another step forward in curbing climate change while providing tools to rebuild America’s manufacturing economy.

“Its not just small cars that are combating climate change—the innovation taking place in larger vehicles plays a critical role in reducing carbon emissions. The latest standards build on ongoing fuel economy progress and are estimated to cut emissions by 1.1 billion metric tons and reduce foreign fuel dependence by up to 2 billion barrels.

“At the same time, the auto industry anchors American manufacturing. Since the recession, the auto industry has brought back nearly 700,000 direct jobs. But more still needs to be done.  Care should be taken to ensure that implementing this standard supports jobs and job growth across the industry, and that there is sufficient support for continued investment in manufacturing innovative, efficient vehicles of all types—and the components, materials, and technology that goes into them—which is a critical part of creating and maintaining more good jobs in the United States.

“Under these vehicle standards, working in concert with sound manufacturing policy, American companies and workers are demonstrating that the nation can lead in combating climate change while creating American jobs and making America’s auto sector one of the most technologically advanced and competitive in the world. We are committed to seeing this trajectory continue.”