"The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) today presented a useful and detailed analysis of all aspects of the CAFE program. While NAS does not recommend a specific CAFE standard, it does call for major legislative changes in the structure and operations of the program. In light of this, the bipartisan compromise reached in Committee on Energy and Commerce on CAFE strikes the right balance. Congress should carefully examine the report in coming months, and craft appropriate changes.

"I am particularly pleased that the NAS recognized that fuel saving technologies will need to be phased-in over a 10 to 15 year period. I also note that NAS correctly conceded that previous CAFE changes led to smaller and lighter vehicles, which in turn led to significant increases in traffic fatalities. That is why we must proceed with prodigious care, and without undue haste."