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the next dozen years. By 2012, we could save nearly 2 million barrels every day -- a savings of 18 percent below business-as-usual projections. That is slightly more oil than we imported from Saudi Arabia last year, and three times our imports from Iraq. By 2020, savings would grow to nearly 5 million barrels per day, almost twice as much as our current total imports from the Persian Gulf.
That would mean big savings for consumers at the gas pump: a person buying a 40 mpg car in 2012 would save a net of $2,200 over the life of the vehicle. Total consumer savings from all of these policies would equal nearly $13 billion per year in 2012, and almost $30 billion by 2020.
These measures would cut heat-trapping carbon dioxide and other global warming emissions by more than 440 million tons in 2012, and more than a billion tons in 2020. By 2020 we would avoid more than 1 billion pounds worth of smog-forming emissions annually.
The High Cost of Oil Imports
American drivers used more than 120 billion gallons of gasoline in 2000, costing $186 billion. If fuel economy does not improve, passenger-vehicle fuel use will increase more than 50 percent by 2020, to almost 190 billion gallons per year. The United States spent $106 billion -- about $380 per person -- importing crude oil and petroleum products in 2000. By 2020, oil import spending is expected to hit $160 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, an increase of more than 50 percent.
The environmental impacts of oil addiction are enormous: Cars and passenger trucks are the second largest U.S. source of carbon dioxide pollution warming, emitting 1.3 billion tons of this heat-trapping gas in 2000. Emissions of smog- and cancer-causing air pollutants are a persistent problem.
Oil addiction also creates constant pressure to drill unspoiled wilderness areas such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Florida and California coasts, Utah's Redrock canyon country, and lands near Yellowstone National Park. Meanwhile, oil spills pose a constant threat to the land, water, wildlife, and coastal livelihoods. Almost 1.5 million gallons of oil were spilled into U.S. waters in 2000.
We Can Do It
A safer, more secure energy future is well within the reach of America's industrial prowess. Studies by the National Academy of Sciences, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and other independent analysts have demonstrated that a 40 mpg fleet average is achievable within a decade or so, using technology that is available today.
America already has proven that such strides are possible. Fuel economy for new passenger cars nearly doubled between 1975, when standards were first adopted, and their peak in 1988. Fuel economy for new light trucks increased by 50 percent. But the rules haven't changed since 1985. Average mileage of our new cars and trucks today is at its lowest level in 21 years.
"These proposals are the best way to curb our reliance on Middle Eastern oil," said Podesta. "We can regain control over our future by providing American consumers with the safest and best performing passengers vehicles in the world. This is the road to increase our national security, strengthen our economy, and protect our environment."
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