One Week After The President Called for Action on Fuel Economy Standards, Administration Officials Say "Let's Study That"

One Week After The President Called for Action on Fuel Economy Standards, Administration Officials Say "Let's Study That"

Last week President Bush called for action on increasing the fuel economy standards of cars, but today the stall began. His own Administration official refused to outline any specific plan for increasing fuel economy standards. Five years ago the National Academy of Sciences released a study demonstrating that with existing technology U.S. automobiles could increase fuel economy standards to 33 miles per gallon (mpg) in ten years without adversely impacting safety. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta indicated that the Bush Administration is not willing to commit to the National Academy of Sciences number or any specific number for increasing the miles per gallon standard for automobiles. The Secretary cited obstacles to immediately addressing fuel economy standards including the technical feasibility, safety concerns and industry feasibility - all issues that were addressed by the National Academy of Sciences study.

Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and a co-author of a bipartisan bill to raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, pushed the Administration officials for a specific fuel economy standards goal, "On May 25, 1961, President Kennedy issued a challenge to the Congress and the country, 'of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.' Eight years later, the challenge was met. Maybe it was rocket science, but it took Presidential leadership and a can-do attitude made it happen. Today, the question on the table is, will this President issue a similar challenge to the nation, in the next ten years - can we put a man or woman in a fuel efficient car, send him or her to his destination and return him or her safely to his home?" Thus far, President Bush has claimed that it isn't possible. After all, that was just rocket science - this is auto mechanics!

When Rep. Markey and other Democratic Members pushed Secretary Mineta whether or not the Bush Administration would support an effort increasing fuel economy standards to a specific number, the Secretary said he "could not give a definitive number".

Rep. Markey called on the Administration to respond to the pending energy crisis outlined by Energy Secretary Bodman by setting new higher fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks.

"I call on the President to use his authority and issue a challenge to America - tell us what you think we can do to increase fuel economy in the next 10 years that can help compensate for the shameful neglect Republicans have given this issue over the past 10 years. Give us your proposal.

"Pick a number, Mr. President. Don't duck and don't pass the buck. Pick a number.

"We are not missing Presidential authority on fuel economy standards - we are missing Presidential leadership," Markey concluded.

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http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1523&Itemid=125