Lawmakers reach gas mileage boost deal

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Reuters

support a 40 percent increase in vehicle fuel efficiency is likely to be the tonic needed to push energy legislation through Congress before Christmas.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., a longtime protector of the auto industry, settled their differences in an agreement late Friday on the fuel economy, or CAFE, issue, clearing the way for a House vote on a broader energy bill, probably on Wednesday.

Automakers would be required to meet an industrywide average of 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks, including SUVs, by 2020, the first increase by Congress in car fuel efficiency in 32 years.

<snip>

But to get the bill through the Senate — and also avoid a threatened veto by President Bush — Democratic leaders are expected to abandon attempts to impose nearly $16 billion in new taxes on the oil industry with the revenue to be used to support renewable energy sources and conservation.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071201/ap_on_go_co/congress_energy

[SpiralHawk]

1. By 2020? WTF. How lame can you be. How meaningless.

What a crock O' meaningless, ineffectual crap.

Apparently everyone in Washington - republicons and Democrats -- have been drinking the corporate kool aid. What a useless, meaningless, impotent standard...sheesh.

[peacebird]

2. good grief. What sort of mileage do SUVs get now?!? If 35mpg is a 40% increase..?

I thought 35mpg was a totally pitiful "goal" when I first heard it (still do) but is it really a FORTY PERCENT INCREASE over current mileage?!?!?!?

:wow:

My 15 year old manual two wheel drive jeep cherokee gets 26mpg...... I guess I didn't realize how bad the newer SUVs must be.....

:wtf:

[THUNDER HANDS]

3. i saw a cadillac at the mall yesterday

it wasn't even an escalade, or an SUV for that matter, just a regular Cadillac.


It got 17 mpg.

[peacebird]

4. thank goodness for my Prius. Hubby is hoping there will be a hybrid or electric minipickup available

when the Cherokee finally dies.

Biodiesel from used cooking oil would be very cool too(read about it in this months Mother Earth News).

[pleah]

5. This is a load of crap!

They have had the technology to make all cars and trucks fuel efficient since the 70's. Europe has a minimum standard of 45 mpg.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. Many made by the same US manufacturers that piss and moan

about what a burden new CAFE standards are.