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Michigan environmental groups urge Environmental Protection Agency for higher clean vehicle standards

Vehicles drive on the road through the central business district in Beijing on August 4, 2010. A traffic jam on the Beijing-Tibet Expressway, stretching more than 62 miles, has lasted more than nine days.

Michigan environmental groups are urging the federal Environmental Protection Agency to set substantially higher new clean vehicle standards. The EPA is expected to set new standards for cars and light trucks in March.

Kendra Weid is with the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.

“We need swift strong action to guide our automakers into a cleaner, healthier future," Weid said.

Elizabeth Hauptman is with Moms Clean Air Force. She says setting higher standards now will have many benefits.

“These new standards will help reduce fossil fuel use, strengthen our energy independence, protect public health, national security, while also saving parents at the pump," Hauptman said.

Last fall, auto industry and environmental groups encouraged the EPA to set a standard of 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 emit zero greenhouse gasses.