|
Fall 2006
|
|
Facing outcry from voters over high gas prices this election season, Congress appears closer to raising the fuel economy standard than ever before. Due to the automakers’ powerful lobby, Congress has not raised the fuel economy standard, often called CAFE (for corporate average fuel economy), in more than 10 years, but that could change.
WISPIRG is working to capitalize on growing momentum due to upcoming elections, and finally make cars go farther on a gallon of gas.
Reps. Ed Markey (Mass.) and Sherwood Boehlert (N.Y.) have introduced an amendment to a Bush administration-backed bill introduced by Rep. Barton (TX). Their amendment would increase the gas mileage standard to at least 33 miles per gallon.
“Experts at the National Academy of Sciences say that a standard of 40 miles per gallon is feasible,” said WISPIRG Director Dan Kohler. “Thirty-three miles per gallon is just a first step toward where we need to be, but it’s a big first step—enough to cut our demand for oil by 1.4 million barrels a day.”
|
