| As America makes reducing our dependence
| |
| | choice between fuel economy legislation
|
| on foreign oil and oil's harmful
| |
| | that provides for a reasonable increase
|
| emissions a national imperative, the
| |
| | in CAFE standards with a strong emphasis
|
| challenge we confront is: How do we
| |
| | on alternative fuel development, or
|
| improve America's energy security while
| |
| | legislation that focuses solely on CAFE
|
| meeting our country's growing energy
| |
| | standards, which will cripple an industry
|
| demands?
| |
| | that is too important to the U.S.
|
| Cars and CAFE
| |
| | economy. Some 13 million auto and related
|
| Domestic automakers are addressing these
| |
| | industry jobs are at stake.
|
| energy challenges and direct as much as
| |
| | One House bill under consideration is
|
| $17 billion a year toward
| |
| | similar to an already passed Senate bill
|
| alternative-energy research and
| |
| | introduced by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.),
|
| development. In spite of this commitment,
| |
| | which would force automakers to divert
|
| some still believe that the 1970s policy
| |
| | scarce alternative-energy resources to
|
| of regulated CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel
| |
| | retool engines that will still rely on
|
| Economy) standards alone is the best
| |
| | gasoline at the end of the day. However,
|
| approach to reducing our gasoline
| |
| | the United Auto Workers union says the
|
| consumption. However, a combination of
| |
| | bill could cost 17,000 jobs.
|
| reasonable CAFE increases and the
| |
| | A more balanced option is available with
|
| development of alternative-fuel vehicles
| |
| | Hill-Terry legislation (H.R. 2927) and
|
| is the better approach.
| |
| | has strong bipartisan support. While
|
| The Future Of Fuel
| |
| | still increasing CAFE standards, it does
|
| Because of the initiative taken by our
| |
| | so at a reasonable rate determined by the
|
| domestic automakers, we have a better
| |
| | Department of Transportation, adding just
|
| choice in alternative-fuel technology.
| |
| | two years to the timeline for vehicle
|
| Ethanol, biofuels and renewable energy
| |
| | compliance. But those two years allow the
|
| sources free from harmful emissions are
| |
| | U.S. auto industry to continue investing
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| the future.
| |
| | in critical alternative-fuel technology.
|
| History shows that simply mandating
| |
| | Looking Ahead, Not Back
|
| overly aggressive fuel economy standards
| |
| | The House can join the Senate in
|
| does not work. When first passed more
| |
| | expanding regulations that promise
|
| than three decades ago, CAFE regulations
| |
| | limited value while placing even more
|
| forced automakers to reduce consumer
| |
| | strain on the backbone of the American
|
| choice by focusing on cars and trucks
| |
| | economy. Or it can make a bold, balanced
|
| that were smaller, less powerful, less
| |
| | and better choice to support consumers,
|
| safe and more expensive, proving that
| |
| | the environment and workers who are
|
| CAFE was, at best, limited in its
| |
| | already building our clean energy future.
|
| effectiveness.
| |
| | Simply put, as Congress tries to reduce
|
| During its fuel economy debate, the House
| |
| | America's dependence on foreign oil and
|
| of Representatives will have to make a
| |
| | to develop alternative-energy policies,
|
| decision that will have a lasting impact
| |
| | undue reliance on CAFE standards would be
|
| on our domestic auto industry and energy
| |
| | a 20th century response to a 21st century
|
| future. Several competing bills have been
| |
| | problem.
|
| introduced, and members have a clear
| |
| |
|
