EPA Finalizes Fuel & Vehicle Standards to Reduce Emissions, Improve Public Health

After extensive research and more than 200,000 public comments, EPA has finalized emission standards for cars and gasoline that will reduce harmful pollution and increase efficiency. These standards are part of the agency's Tier 3 Program, which is a comprehensive approach to reducing the impacts of motor vehicles on air quality and the public health. EPA reports the standards are an "important component" of its national program, and once the standards are in place, they will help avoid up to 2,000 premature deaths per year and 50,000 cases of respiratory aliments of children.

Additional benefits of the standards include:

• Fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards covering model year vehicles from 2012 to 2025 are projected to save Americans more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs.
• A reduction in vehicle emissions of toxic air pollutants will by up to 30%.
• By 2018, EPA estimates the program will annually prevent between 225 and 610 premature deaths and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by about 260,000 tons.
• By 2030, total health-related benefits will be between $6.7 and $19 billion annually. 

Visit EPA's website for more information.