SAN FRANCISCO—The Freedom from Oil Campaign today released the following statement in response to the auto industry's lawsuit against California to block cleaner air and emission reductions mandated by AB 1493, also called the Pavley Law. "Until the automakers stop suing California for trying to regulate global warming pollution and start putting fuel-efficient, non-polluting cars on the road, they are driving the problem. Instead of combating global warming pollution, automakers are combating a state's ability to protect the health and welfare of its people. It is time they stop blocking progress.

"Just days after auto executives converged in LA to tout their 'green' concept cars at the LA Auto Show, we see that the auto industry's commitment to protecting our environment and reducing our dependence on oil does not extend beyond the ad page.

"The auto industry's claim that curbing emissions would make vehicles unaffordable and unsafe is baseless. In fact, increased fuel efficiency prompted by emissions regulation would save the average car customer $5,000 over the vehicle's lifetime, at current gasoline prices. "On the heels of the IPCC's fourth report warning that global warming could threaten billions of people, endanger more than half of wildlife species, and raise global sea levels by more than 22 feet, every industry -- especially American automakers -- should be shifting into high gear to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

For more information, visit www.freedomfromoil.org.

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The Freedom from Oil campaign is working to end America's oil dependence, reduce oil related conflicts, and stop global climate change by convincing the auto industry to dramatically improve fuel efficiency and eliminate vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.