Surface Transportation
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION -- (Senate - May 17, 2005)
Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to comment on the surface transportation act we are going to hopefully pass today and a particular provision that I was happy to work on with my colleagues Senators INOUYE, STEVENS, AND LOTT, regarding giving consumers better protection and accurate information about gasoline consumption. Americans today are facing a painful reality at the gas pump, so the least we can do is to make sure the mileage stickers on their cars match up with the reality of the road. That will help them and their families make better budget plans and make better choices when buying automobiles.
It is simply that we need to have truth in labeling for stickers on automobiles. But today gas mileage stickers that appear on cars basically inflate the true vehicle fuel economy performance by anywhere from 10 to 30 percent.
That is because the Federal Government laboratory tests, on which this outdated procedures rely, are false assumptions. For example, they assume people drive 48 miles per hour on the freeway, and they never use air conditioning. Obviously, a variety of other things that represent technology improvements have not been considered in this test. When a family is on a tight budget--and right now there are many Americans on a tight budget--getting accurate information about vehicle fuel efficiency is important.
The provisions of this bill that are included in the surface transportation act would direct EPA to issue a proposed rulemaking no later than the end of this year and complete the process within 18 months. What it would do is encourage the Government to take into account real-life conditions such as speed limits, acceleration rates, braking, variations of weather and temperature, vehicle load, and a variety of other fuel-consuming features.
It is important that we pass this kind of legislation. I know the American Automobile Association supports this legislation, as do many other residents throughout the country who are consumers making gas-conscious choices when they buy automobiles. We need to give them accurate information.
I am glad the truth in labeling amendment we offered will be included as part of the package of the surface transportation act and hopefully pass today.
I yield the floor.
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