By Jeanette Joy FisherIt appears as if
various segments of the federal government are at odds
with each other concerning an increase in the Corporate
Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Even while
President Bush is asking congress for permission to raise
the standards, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta is
going around Capitol Hill warning about what he sees as
the potential dangers inherent in raising the standards.
The CAFE standards were put into place in 1975 in response
to the 1973 Arab oil embargo, requiring American
automobiles to average 27.5 mpg. Since that time, American
automakers have increased the fuel efficiency of their
vehicles somewhat, but domestic cars and trucks still lag
far behind their foreign competition. Also, a significant
number of America's 200 million vehicles still aren't
subject to the CAFE standards, since they're classified as
light trucks, including such vehicles as SUVs, vans, and
pickups.
In a recent letter to congress, Secretary Mineta suggested
that raising the CAFE standards would increase the number
of deaths due to traffic accidents, raise the cost of
healthcare, and reduce American employment. President Bush
prefers basing the CAFE standards on vehicle size, which
would set varying standards for vehicles depending upon
their dimensions.
Regardless of the political wrangling, it's been more than
thirty years since the CAFE standards were implemented,
and although fuel efficiency has improved, Americans are
driving nearly 50 percent more, which means there's been
little or no net savings of energy during that time.
Massachusetts Representative Edward Markey (D) recently
proposed raising the CAFE standards for both cars and
light trucks to 33 mpg, which most analysts agree would be
the minimum number it would take to help America begin to
raise itself out of its current energy dilemma. Markey
told his colleagues that the fuel efficiency of domestic
vehicles actually peaked nearly twenty years ago (in 1987,
at 26.2 mpg), and then began to decrease. The current
level is less than 25 mpg.
The squabbling on Capitol Hill comes in the face of
increased uncertainty about the world's oil supply, which
in turn seems to be fueling a growing sense of urgency for
the creation of a new generation of more fuel efficient
vehicles. There's talk about offering federal loan
guarantees and grants to domestic automakers and parts
manufacturers to encourage development of automotive
technology that would lead to more fuel efficient
vehicles. Innovations might include the use of lighter
weight materials, electric/gasoline hybrid technology, and
alternative fuels. The legislation would also encourage a
greater availability of alternative fuels at gas stations.
In an attempt to break the federal gridlock, ten states
(Connecticut, New Mexico, Oregon, California, Vermont,
Maine, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New
York) have sued the federal government to force higher
efficiency standards for gas-guzzling SUVs and pickups.
Leaders from 227 American cities have also banded together
to sign the "U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement,"
committing their communities to reducing greenhouse gas
emissions to seven percent below 1990 levels by the year
2012.
Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher
Just Stay Home Campaign
Do you want to protect the environment, save money on gasoline, or protest the
escalating prices? Join our easy protest.
Ways to Save Gas
Environment and Ecology Articles List of solar and
energy conservation articles
