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US Senate panel seeks to boost fuel economy |
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A Senate Committee has approved a bill to raise fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 and increase the nation-wide fleet average by 4% a year from then onwards. The vote has sparked different reactions from the car industry and environmentalists.
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2007-05-10
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The new standards would raise the fleet-wide fuel economy average by about 40% compared with the current levels of 25 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2020, thereby calling for the most significant increase in vehicle fuel efficiency in decades. Starting from 2020, the standards would increase by 4% a year until 2030. For the first time, medium- and heavy-duty trucks would also have to meet mileage standards.
The "Top-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act of 2007", approved by the Senate Commerce Committee on 8 May, represents the first major revision of the US fuel economy programme established in the 1970s. The legislation, however, would authorize the Transportation Department to permit a lower standard if it finds the cost of imposing stricter rules outweighing the benefits, a clause that outraged consumer and environmental groups likewise.
Currently, each carmaker's car fleet must average 27.5 mpg, a requirement that has not changed for 18 years.
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Reactions
While the committee's chairman Daniel K. Inouye called the approval of the bill an "aggressive but thoughtful approach", environmentalists showed their concern that the proposal was weaker than one offered by President Bush, which would set a target of a 4% annual increase. They argue that the legislation contains loopholes that could lead to lower increases than promised, with one representative of the Union of Concerned Scientist saying that this 35 mg bill would look "like Swiss cheese."
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Several lawmakers said that the bill was a compromise that probably would face a number of changes on the Senate floor and needs to be strengthened as it moves through Congress.
Global Warming a top issue on Capitol Hill
Following the Senate panel's vote, a trio of hearings on the consequences or solutions for climate change demonstrated that global warming has now become a top priority in the US, with two Congress panels discussing rising gasoline prices and natural resources, and a Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing former military leaders exploring national security risks from climate change.
Next steps
The bill will be considered before the full Senate in June where a similar measure was defeated two years ago after strong resistance from the car industry. While the Senate is expected to approve the measure, the Congress Energy Committee is working on an economy-wide approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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More information:
 S. 357 - Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act of 2007 (65 KB)
› Press Release Senate Commerce Committee - 8 May
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