WASHINGTON - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced they will begin the process of developing tougher greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for passenger cars and trucks built in model-years 2017 through 2025.

In keeping with President Obama's vision to reduce greenhouse gases and increase fuel efficiency, the new standards will build on the success of the first phase of the national program covering cars from model years 2012-2016.

According to the EPA, cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are responsible for 57 percent of U.S. transportation petroleum use and almost 60 percent of all transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. The national program is intended to help cut down fuel costs, improve the nation's energy security by reducing dependence on petroleum, and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas pollution that leads to climate change.

Continuing the program will enable manufacturers to build a single national fleet of cars and light trucks that satisfies all federal and California standards, while ensuring a full range of vehicle choices, according to a statement by the EPA.

The agencies aim to propose actual standards within a year, according to the EPA.

Additional information is available at www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy and www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm.