Obama plan for cutting car emissions has fans in N.J.

An environmental group says the clean car standards proposed by the Obama Administration will have some big benefits for New Jersey.

The standards would require cars and light trucks to have an average fuel efficiency of 55 mpg within 14 years.

Half the pollution in the Garden State comes from vehicle emissions, and the new rules will reduce smog, according to Doug O’Malley of Environment New Jersey.

“Smog is really a huge trigger for asthma attacks, and one of the largest sources of smog is the pollution from our cars and trucks,” O’Malley said. “So if you’re an asthmatic in New Jersey, these clean car rules mean you’ll be able to breathe a little bit easier.”

He said the new standards would also mean fewer trips to the gas pump, saving the average New Jersey family about $200 a year.