New rules weighed for auto efficiency

[unhappycamper]

New rules weighed for auto efficiency

Debate in Congress on fuel standards

By John Donnelly, Globe Staff | July 30, 2007


WASHINGTON -- More than a quarter century after Congress wrote the rules setting automobile fuel economy standards, lawmakers are poised to make substantial increases in them, amid rising oil imports and prices.

The debate on mandating higher fuel standards for cars and trucks is unfolding in the House, which could take up the issue this week as part of a comprehensive energy bill.

The Senate has already passed legislation that would increase standards for cars and light trucks to an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, but the House is divided on two measures.

Representative Edward J. Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, is sponsoring a bill that calls for a 35-miles-per-gallon standard by 2019. Another House bill, endorsed by more than 40 Democrats and 60 Republicans and backed by much of the auto industry, calls for a standard of at least 32 miles per gallon for cars and trucks by 2022.

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Republicans in the White House and in Congress, supported by key Democrats from auto-industry states, successfully stalled efforts to increase the standards for cars, while increasing the standard for light trucks by just 5 miles per gallon over the last 28 years. Most consumers also were not demanding more fuel-efficient vehicles. With fuel prices remaining low for years, automakers marketed and built larger cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans.


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[lfairban]

1. I don't get it.

Why are we attempting to increase fuel efficiency by increasing the standards imposed on the automobile industry despite the popular apathy when it would be more effective to just increase the federal gasoline tax. People won't demand more fuel-efficient vehicles until the cost of gasoline compels them to do so.

Does it make more sense to keep gas prices low and tax income? I don't think so.

[phantom power]

2. This would have helped 20 years ago.

Probably irrelevant now, as we begin our slide down the back-bowls of peak-fossil.

[YankeyMCC]

3. Way to little ...

I just got an email from one of the many enviro-emaillists I'm on asking me to contact Markey, my rep, in support of this bill. But I'm not going to bother, the increases they are asking for are a pittance.

[Trillo]

4. I'd like to see more vehicles like this one:

http://www.apteramotors.com.nyud.net:8090/images/photo_1.jpg
Photo Source: http://www.apteramotors.com

Current claims are 230 mpg at 55 mph, and works in all electric mode.

Will it be 'approved' by the corporatist for highway use? Maybe only the BIG manufacturers can possibly navigate the legal approval catacombs, and perhaps that's what needs to be addressed by legislators in the new, post peak oil civilization.

Otherwise, perhaps we'll all need to get a mule and buggy again if we need to go any distance.

http://www.ibiblio.org.nyud.net:8090/orphanage/gallery/life/horse_buggy.jpg
Image Source: http://www.ibiblio.org