Washington, D.C. -- Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration's new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards and Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards for cars, pick-up trucks, and SUVs. Under an agreement negotiated with the auto companies and the State of California, fuel economy for cars will increase by five percent per year, and vehicles will average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

Senator Boxer said: "The State of California has led the way in working with the automakers to lower unhealthy pollution and raise fuel efficiency. The new federal standards that President Obama announced today, which are expected to provide the same benefits as the standards California is developing, will save money for American consumers and businesses at the gas pump, improve the air we breathe, and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil."

On Monday, Senator Boxer, along with 19 of her Senate colleagues, sent a letter to President Obama calling for a five percent annual increase in efficiency for cars and light trucks produced in model years 2017 through 2025.

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