Bipartisan Fire Over Fuel Economy
#1
04-24-2007, 07:38 AM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 5,613
Bipartisan Fire Over Fuel Economy
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews
Bob Wilson
Even Auto Industry Allies Seek Change
By Sholnn Freeman and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, April 24, 2007; D01
For more than 20 years, the American automotive industry has deflected attempts to force improvements in vehicle mileage. Now Detroit is getting battered on the issue from almost every side, and even industry-friendly lawmakers say change is looming.
Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), long protective of the automakers, has told lobbyists for the industry to get ready for some bad news. In private meetings this year, Dingell, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said that a proposal that alters fuel economy standards is likely this year -- and that Detroit will not like everything in it.
. . .
By Sholnn Freeman and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, April 24, 2007; D01
For more than 20 years, the American automotive industry has deflected attempts to force improvements in vehicle mileage. Now Detroit is getting battered on the issue from almost every side, and even industry-friendly lawmakers say change is looming.
Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), long protective of the automakers, has told lobbyists for the industry to get ready for some bad news. In private meetings this year, Dingell, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said that a proposal that alters fuel economy standards is likely this year -- and that Detroit will not like everything in it.
. . .
#2
04-24-2007, 08:10 AM
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Finger Lakes Region NY
Posts: 264
Re: Bipartisan Fire Over Fuel Economy
More:
"The war in Iraq and high prices at the pump are increasingly sensitizing the American public, and we think this is the right time to do this," said Josh Reichert, director of Pew's environment group. "There is a confluence of factors out there that make this the best opportunity that we've had in decades."
The environmentalists are getting a boost from an unlikely quarter: a bipartisan lobbying coalition of big names in the military and corporate suites. Securing America's Future Energy has been telling lawmakers that Americans' security is at risk as long as the country remains dependent on foreign oil, especially Middle Eastern oil. One of its solutions is to bolster fuel economy standards.
The lobby group includes heavyweights such as Frederick W. Smith, chief executive of FedEx, and retired Gen. P.X. Kelley, a former Marine Corps commandant.
The Big Three have been incredibly dense in their recent efforts to fight the prospect of higher fuel efficiency standards.
It is coming. It is inevitable.
Combine concerns about global warming/climate change with national security issues of our dependency on Persian Gulf oil, and you have an inexorable force to bring about change.
This is good news for all of us, and long overdue. We need fuel-efficient vehicles on our roads, not gas-hog SUV's and large pickup trucks. We simply can't go on like we have the last 20 years...
Harry
"The war in Iraq and high prices at the pump are increasingly sensitizing the American public, and we think this is the right time to do this," said Josh Reichert, director of Pew's environment group. "There is a confluence of factors out there that make this the best opportunity that we've had in decades."
The environmentalists are getting a boost from an unlikely quarter: a bipartisan lobbying coalition of big names in the military and corporate suites. Securing America's Future Energy has been telling lawmakers that Americans' security is at risk as long as the country remains dependent on foreign oil, especially Middle Eastern oil. One of its solutions is to bolster fuel economy standards.
The lobby group includes heavyweights such as Frederick W. Smith, chief executive of FedEx, and retired Gen. P.X. Kelley, a former Marine Corps commandant.
The Big Three have been incredibly dense in their recent efforts to fight the prospect of higher fuel efficiency standards.
It is coming. It is inevitable.
Combine concerns about global warming/climate change with national security issues of our dependency on Persian Gulf oil, and you have an inexorable force to bring about change.
This is good news for all of us, and long overdue. We need fuel-efficient vehicles on our roads, not gas-hog SUV's and large pickup trucks. We simply can't go on like we have the last 20 years...
Harry
#3
04-25-2007, 06:51 AM
Re: Bipartisan Fire Over Fuel Economy
Well, the need for higher fuel standards has been around since WAY before the war, so the ties there are coincidental at best.
But yes, for SURE, we have needed this for a while and I'm glad to see something happening about it finally.
But yes, for SURE, we have needed this for a while and I'm glad to see something happening about it finally.
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