Reporter: Dave Andreesen and Maine News Service
Date: August 28, 2012
 
Maine environmentalists are calling new federal regulations that will nearly double the average gas milage of new cars and trucks by 2025 a major step forward. The regulations finalized Tuesday by the Obama administration require the fleet of new cars and trucks to average 54.5 miles per gallon in 13 years.

Lisa Pohlman, executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, says the new rules are a big step to cut our dependence on oil and reduce carbon pollution that causes climate change. She said it would be a mistake for a new administration to come in next January and overturn regulations that the auto industry has agreed to.
 
Environment Maine Director Emily Figdor said before Obama took office, Maine was already developing and implementing its own state- level clean car standards.