By Samira Sadeque
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) heralded proposed rules from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation aimed at regulating mileage and emission standards for large vehicles.
The Oregon Democrat said during a conference call with reporters Thursday that the regulations would play a key role in the ongoing effort to free the U.S. from a dependency on foreign oil.
“The question for all of us, is whether we’re going to choose to be oil-addicted, weaker and more vulnerable nation or an oil-independent, stronger nation,” he said.
The proposal aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 250 million metric tons and simultaneously save 500 million barrels of oil.
Merkley also touted a new report showing how America’s dependence on foreign oil weakens it from a national security standpoint.
“Our oil addiction poses a great vulnerability, and raising mileage standards is an easy way to make us stronger and safer,” he said.