WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 25, 2010) The U.S. EPA and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today unveiled the first-ever national fuel efficiency and emissions standards for medium-sized and heavy-duty trucks. The plan is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption from long-haul tractor trailers by about 20 percent and achieve a 10-20 percent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions based on the vehicle’s size.

The BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“By setting the first-ever fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for medium and heavy-duty vehicles, the Obama administration is positioning the United States to develop and deploy a new generation of cleaner trucks that will reduce our dependence on oil, strengthen the American auto and truck manufacturing sectors, create quality jobs and significantly reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

“Reducing freight pollution and increasing fuel efficiency are critical in moving America to a clean energy economy. Long-haul trucks have averaged only 6 miles to the gallon since the 1970’s. Though they represent only 4 percent of vehicles on the road, these vehicles – which include delivery trucks, buses, and long-haul freight trucks – consume as much as 37 billion gallons of fuel every year and emit 20 percent of transportation greenhouse gas pollution. For the trucking industry to remain competitive, it must strive for much greater efficiencies.

“Earlier this month, the BlueGreen Alliance and coalition partners – including the Teamsters, United Auto Workers, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Union of Concerned Scientists, and National Wildlife Federation – sent principles to the Obama Administration to inform the medium and heavy-duty vehicle standards as they are finalized.

“As we develop better emissions standards, we must also implement solutions like the L.A. Clean Truck Program, which will create thousands of good green jobs by shifting the cost for replacing dirty diesel fleets from low-wage, misclassified contract drivers to financially responsible trucking companies.”