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Executive Summary

Legislation to increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars and trucks was included in the Senate energy bill (H.R. 6) that was passed in June of this year, marking the first time in over thirty years that either House of Congress has passed an increase in CAFE standards. The Senate CAFE would raise gas mileage standards for cars and trucks from 27.5 miles per gallon (mpg) and 22.2 mpg respectively to 35 mpg by 2020. This would save North Carolina consumers $836 million dollars at the pump in 2020, reduce oil consumption by 38,219 barrels per day in 2020 and having global warming emissions equivalent to taking 462,320 cars off the road in 2020.

Nationwide the savings would be even more significant. In 2020, the Senate fuel economy legislation would reduce our national oil consumption by 1.2 million barrels per day, save consumers $26.5 billion dollars and have the global warming emissions reductions equivalent to taking 14 million cars off the road. Increasing CAFE standards is one of the biggest steps we can take to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, improve our national security and move us on the path towards a new, clean, energy future.