With the 4^th of July weekend upon us, Rhode Islanders with summer travel plans are thinking about the high cost of gas.  What our politicians won’t tell you is that there is no magic wand they can wave to magically lower gas prices overnight. 

The good news is that President Obama and his administration has the opportunity to not only save drivers money at the pump in the long run, but also secure our energy future, create American jobs, and reduce auto pollution. The solution is simple by adopting strong carbon pollution and fuel efficiency standards that deliver at least 60 miles per gallon (mpg) for new cars and light trucks by 2025. 

The White House is set to announce this September the fuel efficiency and auto pollution standard for new vehicles built between 2017 and 2025. The highest standard under consideration, 62 mpg would us save gas-price weary American drivers an extra $370 billion by 2030, compared to the weakest standard all while cutting America’s oil dependence by at least 44 billion gallons of fuel and would eliminate 465 million metric tons of heat-trapping carbon pollution in 2030. In fact, if the average car went 60 mpg today, this summer Rhode Islanders would be saving over $215 million at the pump, or $474 per household, in just three months alone. With the recent tax and fee increases imposed on Rhode Islanders by our elected officials on Smith Hill, wouldn’t you like the opportunity to keep some money in your pocket? Or, would you prefer to donate that money to the oil companies, like the one that caused the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last year or ones that are based in foreign lands where we have American troops on the ground?

Not long ago, the President set an ambitious goal to reduce oil imports by a third by 2025. A 62 mpg standard, which the administration has already said is achievable, is not only the single biggest step that he can take to achieve this target, but will also reduce vehicle pollution and save us money.

Americans automakers will risk falling behind foreign automakers if they do not embrace innovation. After American tax dollars were used to bail out American automakers, it’s time for  these manufacturers to return the favor and produce better vehicles at a higher standard will put us on the best path forward.

Consider the following key facts:

·         America sends $1 billion a day overseas to pay for oil from foreign regimes, money that we could keep in America for investing in manufacturing advanced vehicles. 

·         From consumer savings to long-term national security, the highest fuel efficiency standard under consideration this year, 62 mpg remains the best option for drivers, the environment, and our country. The nearly 2 billion metric tons of global warming pollution that our oil consumption pumps into the air each year proves that we remain hooked on oil, but fuel efficiency can help break that addiction.

·         A recent poll released by the Consumer Federation of America shows that there is widespread bipartisan support for a new standard that would get us to 60 mpg by 2025. Sixty-two percent of Americans support a 60 mpg by 2025 standard. 

·         The claims made by the auto industry, particularly about jobs, are based on inflated cost claims. However, this is similar to their argument about installing lifesaving technology such as seatbelts and airbags when they were first considered.

Rhode Islanders have high standards and American cars should as well! This fall, President Obama can help us reclaim our proud automotive heritage by raising fuel efficiency and auto pollution standards to 62 mpg by 2025. Strong standards will save Rhode Islanders millions at the gas pump, clean up our air, and put Americans back to work building a new generation of vehicles that create prosperity, not oil dependence. 

The sad truth is that this won’t be the last 4^th of July that still finds consumers enslaved by high gas prices.  Yet, it doesn’t have to be that way forever.   By making the move to the 62 mpg standard, we can declare our independence from high gas prices and a considerable amount of the carbon pollution now generated by cars.   

Editor’s Note: Ben Jones is the Rhode Island Chapter Chairperson of the Sierra Club. Nicholas Oliver is the Go 60 MPG Campaign Coordinator for the Sierra Club.