 |
.gif) |
 |
|
| |
| MCCAIN
INTRODUCES BILL TO INCREASE FUEL ECONOMY, PROTECT
CLIMATE |
| For Immediate Release |
| Friday, Feb 08, 2002 |
| |
Washington, DC – Senator John McCain (R-AZ),
Ranking Republican of the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation, late yesterday introduced
the Fuel Economy and Security Act of 2002, S. 1923. The
bill is designed to achieve increased fuel economy,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately help to
decrease our dependency on foreign oil.
"A new
emissions trading system, coupled with increased CAFE
standards, will strengthen our national security while
significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the
next decade and beyond," McCain said. "This bill rewards
improvement in energy efficiency by using the
marketplace to address the threat of climate change, and
gives manufacturers flexibility to meet CAFE goals. I
look forward to working with my colleagues on this
complex issue as we try to protect our climate for
future generations."
The National Academy of
Sciences (NAS) report from last August concluded that
the benefits resulting from Corporate Average Fuel
Economy (CAFE) since its beginning in 1978, caused
marked improvements in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, fuel consumption, and dependence on foreign
oil.
Specifically, S. 1923 would require an
average fuel economy of 36 miles per gallon by 2016,
which could include up to 10 percent of emission
credits. Following is a summary:
• Requires auto
manufacturers to begin CAFE changes for model year 2007.
This would not prevent National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) from requiring greater fuel
economy before 2007.
• Authorizes the Secretary
of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of
Commerce, to establish a national registry system for
cross industry credit trading among auto manufacturers
and with other industries. This provision assists
manufacturers in meeting CAFE requirements. However, the
amount of credits that manufacturers can purchase would
be limited to 10 percent to ensure that they meet
increased fuel economy standards.
• Requires the
Secretary of Transportation to establish a new safety
ratings system that requires manufacturers to conduct
tests and clearly inform consumers of the car's safety
performance rating.
• Directs the Secretary of
Transportation to combine light trucks and SUVs with
passenger cars when calculating average miles per
gallon. This would eliminate the so-called "SUV
loophole."
• Eliminates the statutory
distinction between domestic and foreign fleets when
calculating fuel economy standards. NAS recommends that
this distinction be eliminated.
• Eliminates
dual fuel credit law that provides CAFE credits to
manufacturers of dual-use vehicles (cars that can run on
gasoline and an alternative fuel). NAS recommends
eliminating this provision because consumers rarely, if
ever, use alternative fuels.
• Authorizes $25
million for NHTSA to carry out new responsibilities
under the bill. |
| [ back
to press releases
] | | |
|
| |
|
