Vermont elected officials and environmental groups are patting themselves on the back for the state’s role in a national campaign to improve mileage standards and reduce carbon emissions from vehicles.
Two candidates for governor – Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie and Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin – were among those touting Vermont’s leadership in pushing ahead with standards adopted Thursday by the Obama administration.
New federal rules will require 2016 model-year vehicles to meet fuel efficiency targets of 34.1 miles per gallon combined for cars and trucks, or the equivalent of 35.5 mpg with credits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That’s an increase of nearly 10 mpg over current standards.