Demand for fuel-efficient cars puts pressure on Congress

[jpak]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-07-09-alt-fuel_x.htm

WASHINGTON — With voters clamoring for relief from sky-high gas prices and facing long waits to buy hybrid cars, bipartisan legislation to increase production of fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuels is gaining momentum.

More than a quarter of the Senate, including five potential presidential candidates, and 84 House members are pushing for a vote on "vehicle and fuel choice" measures that are supported by an unusual alliance of conservative and liberal groups.

<snip>

The bills offer an array of government loans, subsidies and tax breaks for automakers that retool factories to build more fuel-efficient cars, such as gas-electric hybrids. Incentives to promote development of alternative fuels, such as ethanol, and help consumers buy more fuel-efficient cars are increased beyond the help provided by the massive energy bill signed into law last year.

The House bill requires that 80% of cars manufactured in 2012 be flexible fuel vehicles. The Senate version would require only 10% in the same year but bumps it up to 50% in 2016.

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[Double T]

1. The foreign auto makers will supply the demand for more fuel.....

efficient vehicles long before our legislatures 'requirements' become effective. This is another example of our congressional representatives inability to get the job done WITHOUT BEING INFLUENCED by corporate america. The corporate american car companies will probably be out of business by 2012 as they continue to push their gas hog SUVs.

[4dsc]

2. What will they do

when worldwide oil productions falls to level's that won't support our wasteful ways?? Continue to build more cars?? Ration gasoline??

[dcfirefighter]

3. Why do we have to give them tax money

to do their job well?

Rising gas prices will fuel the demand for fuel efficient vehicles.

Making them rise faster through a carbon tax would be even better, especially if the revenues were used to reduce taxes on labor.

We need a social safety net for PEOPLE, not CORPORATIONS.