The colliding realities of continued dependence on imported oil, two costly wars in the Persian Gulf region, wildly fluctuating energy costs and deep economic recession have focused public attention and calls for action. Combined with the emerging international consensus on the science and challenges of global warming, support for a new approach on U.S. energy and climate policy is needed.

Recognizing that energy and global climate change solutions will not be achieved without strong leadership from the United States, President Obama has made energy security and global climate change a signature issue for his administration.

Meanwhile, the auto industry is facing unprecedented economic challenges. The national economy has experienced the worst recession since the Great Depression, and the auto industry was among the first to be hit by the downturn.

In the midst of this turbulence, auto industry chief executives joined the Obama administration to forge a single national standard for fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

On May 19, 2009, President Obama announced the culmination of this effort in a Rose Gdarden ceremony. The centerpiece of this landmark agreement was a new fuel economy standard for the overall U.S. motor vehicle fleet of 35.5 miles per gallon (MPG) by 2016, an effort that will reduce oil consumption by 1.8 billion barrels and lower GHG emissions by approximately 950 million metric tons.

Prior to the 2009 presidential announcement, automakers supported provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) in 2007 to increase fuel economy standards to at least 35 MPG by 2020, an increase of 40%.

Automakers support moving to a low-carbon future. Other stakeholders, including fuel providers and consumers, will also need to take on commitments and be accountable. Government can contribute most by creating the conditions that promote private sector investment and innovation, and that incentivize consumer adoption of advanced, low-carbon technologies.

To meet our shared priorities of reducing energy dependence and GHG emissions, we need strong, consistent, long-term federal leadership.

This web site provides a snapshot of our priorities, our progress and our policy recommendations for the future.

Dave McCurdy, President and CEO, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers