WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 7, 2012) President Obama Wednesday spoke at a Daimler Trucks plant in Mt. Holly, North Carolina, on the need to increase fuel efficiency and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster in response to the president’s plan:

“Rising gas prices in the midst of a burgeoning economic recovery are a reminder that we need to continue to push the limits of innovation to both create good, American jobs while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

“President Obama’s National Community Development Program is an excellent example of what needs to happen to get us closer to an advanced, fuel efficient American vehicle fleet. His visit to a Daimler plant today that makes more efficient conventional diesel trucks, as well as hybrid versions, proves the ongoing success of this transition.

“But we need to do much more. Building advanced and electric vehicles is a proven job creator – the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program has created tens of thousands of jobs in recent years, strengthened the manufacturing sector and made us more globally competitive.

“We fully support programs such as ATVM, battery research and development, and the initiatives President Obama unveiled today to rapidly deploy electric vehicles. We cannot afford to cede the growing market for advanced and fuel efficient vehicles – and the jobs that come with it – to other countries.”