New standards necessary

New fuel efficiency standards for automobiles that were intended to raise gasoline economy to 36 miles per gallon by 2015 failed to pass in the U.S. Senate March 13. Indiana's senators, Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh, let Indiana voters down in voting against the new standards, which would gradually make automobiles more environmentally friendly while decreasing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. The rules would have saved 2.5 million barrels of oil a day, more than is now imported from the Middle East. "Automakers have the technology to make cars that go farther on a gallon of gas without sacrificing safety," INPIRG clean energy organizer Amanda Roll-Pickering wrote in a letter to the IDS. "With a national spotlight on the need to improve American energy security, it is unacceptable for Indiana's senators to reject a measure that would guarantee oil savings, save Hoosiers millions at the gas pump and reduce global warming pollution." Instead of passing the reasonable standards proposed by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., senators approved an industry-friendly proposal with no specific increases. Senators voted to allow the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop new standards after two years of study. But not content with that, pro-industry lawmakers then voted, 56-44, to exempt pickup trucks from potentially higher standards the administration might recommend. Once again, special interests win at the expense of everyone else. Better fuel efficiency doesn't mean lost jobs. People will still drive and cars, trucks and SUVs will still be produced and purchased. But after 15 years of no change in federal regulations on fuel efficiency, it's time for Congress to update standards to account for technological advances. Automakers are required to meet a fleet average of 27.5 mpg for sedans and 20.7 mpg for SUVs, minivans and pickups, according to an Associated Press article March 14. Those levels are ridiculously low when compared to what automakers can accomplish. The average mileage for American automobiles is 24 mpg, the lowest it's been since 1980. A change from 24 mpg to 36 mpg would offer a simple, effective solution to America's energy problems. It would be a much better solution than drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which senate republicans seem bent upon doing. But the energy problem would be more effectively met with regulations governing its consumption, rather than a rush to produce more of it just so it can be wasted on inefficient vehicles.
Staff vote: 7 - 2 - 2