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Senate Vote on Fuel Economy May Come Soon

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

May 8, 2007
A Senate committee has approved a bill the would require new cars and trucks to average 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

The entire Senate could vote on the fuel mileage plan as soon as June, setting the stage for a battle that will challenge party and political loyalties.

Both automakers and the United Auto Workers adamantly oppose the bill but powerful members of the Senate like Republican Ted Stevens of Alaska say the measure has “substantial support.”

Congress has not passed a fuel economy increase since it launched the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program in 1975.

Automakers are running out of allies on Capitol Hill but companies including Toyota Motor Corp., General Motors and Ford Motor Co. warn that the proposed standard would cost consumers thousands of dollars.

Pressure on Congress to act on global warming, rising gasoline prices and growing concerns about American dependency on foreign oil is on the increase however and the auto industry faces a tough fight ahead.

The auto industry argues that the bill sets fuel economy standards that are not achievable with known technology and could cost tens of billions of dollars to meet.

On the other side, environmental groups contend the compromise version of the bill contains too many loopholes that could allow automakers to miss the 35 mpg target.

The measure, which was reported out of committee on a voice vote, would also mandate a mileage standard for the first time for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks.

"After more than two decades of inaction on fuel economy issues, this is a step that is long past due," said Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California, a key sponsor of the bill.

A House of Representatives committee is working on its own plan to increase fuel economy standards.

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