In Congress, a shift over fuel economy

[jpak]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-na-fuel12feb12,0,7700970.story

WASHINGTON — For decades, Sen. Ted Stevens has battled environmentalists, but the Alaska Republican now finds himself in an unusual spot: pushing tougher fuel-economy standards for cars.

Amid heightened concerns over global warming and U.S. dependence on foreign oil, Stevens is one of a number of lawmakers shifting gears in the debate over whether Congress should mandate stricter miles-per-gallon rules.

"I'm trying to protect my state," said Stevens, who recently called climate change "more apparent in Alaska than anywhere else."

The 83-year-old senator's change of heart illustrates how the landscape has shifted in Congress, and could signal a turning point in the long campaign by environmentalists — successfully fended off by Detroit — to toughen fuel-economy standards.

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[Double T]

1. Other nations of the world are leading the way in the fight against global warming..........

the USA no longer has a choice but to follow the environmental leaders, or be left behind.

[phantom power]

2. I shouldn't be so uncharitable, but it's probably threatening his damned pipeline.

[Javaman]

3. That was my first thought...

The perma frost that the pipelines are built upon are more than likely thawing and are probably causing the pipeline to sag in spots.

regardless of his motivations at least he's finally wanting to do something. Yeah, he's an in the pocket pig for the oil companies, but if his sudden change of heart is driven by money, well, who cares, in the end the result will still be the same. Better MPG for our vehicles.

[kestrel91316]

4. AND it's threatening the ability to lay waste to ANWR.................

here's the trouble: the roads up there are impassable due to muck more and more of the time due to permafrost melting. So there is no way to get equipment and people up there to maintain tha pipeline and develop new oil except then the ground freezes, which is projected to be only about 60-90 days a year soon (IIRC).