President Barack Obama plans Friday to announce new fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks for the model years 2017 through 2025. The administration has been in negotiations with automakers on boosting fuel economy. Officials say the 2025 goal is 54.5 miles per gallon. Senator Bernie Sanders called for raising fuel standards to 55 mpg in legislation he introduced last year. Sanders praised the Obama initiative. “The historic agreement that the Obama administration has reached with automakers is a huge step forward for saving car owners money at the gas pump, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and creating American jobs.  By moving to 54.5 mpg, we can eliminate our reliance on Mideast oil by 2030.  That’s extraordinary and a great step forward for our country.”