Drivers in 20 States Get the Most Savings From Fuel Efficient Cars

NRDC Study to Show Biggest Benefits for Consumers in AL, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA and WA

NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY AND DAYBOOK ITEM for April 19, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Motorists everywhere are fuming over exorbitant gasoline prices, but drivers are paying noticeably less because of the more fuel-efficient cars they drive, according to a new study by the Natural Resources Defense Council to be released Thursday.

NRDC experts will discuss their findings -- and the implications for all drivers as a result of the next round of fuel efficiency standards -- during a telepresser at 1 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 19.

The 20 best-off states are (in alphabetical order): Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

The Obama administration is scheduled in August to finalize even greater fuel-efficiency standards that will require automakers to achieve a fleet average equivalent to 54.5 miles-per-gallon by the year 2025. NRDC's updated analysis will include a state-by-state projection of future consumer savings at the gas pump because of those standards.

WHO:
Luke Tonachel, senior vehicles analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council; and Alan Baum, principal, Baum and Associates.

WHEN:
Thursday, April 19, 2012

TIME:
1 p.m. EDT

CALL-IN INFORMATION: Join the live, phone-based news conference (with full, two-way Q&A) at 1 p.m. EDT on April 19, 2012 by dialing 1 (800) 860-2442.  Ask for the "NRDC gas price savings analysis" news event.

CAN'T PARTICIPATE?:streaming audio replay of the news event will be available on the Web NRDC.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.3 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.