Statement From Congressman Bernie Sanders on Vermont's Efforts to Strengthen Fuel Efficiency Standards

Statement from Congressman Bernie Sanders on Vermont's Efforts to Strengthen Fuel Efficiency Standards

Washington DC - Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) today voiced his support for Vermont's efforts to force the federal government to strengthen gas mileage requirements for sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

Sanders said, "I am in strong support of the lawsuit being filed by Vermont and nine other states to force the federal government to strengthen fuel efficiency standards for SUVs and light trucks. At a time when gas prices are at record levels and we are deeply concerned about global warming and air pollution, it is beyond belief that vehicles on the road today get less gas mileage, on average, than they did 20 years ago. This is a national disgrace. Unfortunately the Bush Administration's recent proposal does virtually nothing to realistically address this problem.

"Significantly increasing fuel efficiency standards would save consumers money, improve the environment, and expand energy conservation. That is why I have proposed legislation to increase fuel efficiency standards to 45 miles per gallon for cars, and 34 miles per gallon for SUVs and light trucks over the next decade. These increases would save consumers about $80 billion a year at the pump, 1.3 billion gallons of oil a year, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 trillion pounds a year. It is critical that Congress and the President support stronger fuel efficiency standards for the vehicles that we drive in this country and I will continue to work to make that happen."

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/document.asp?issueNum=4879