'OPEC Has Been In The Driver's Seat, It's Time for Congress To Take Back the Keys,' Says Alliance to Save Energy As Congress Votes On Most Important Energy Efficiency Bill Since 1980s

Statement by Alliance to Save Energy
President David M. Nemtzow
August 1, 2001

"Today the House of Representatives will vote on the most important energy efficiency measure to come before Congress since the 1980s—an increase in the nation's fuel efficiency standards that would reduce U.S. oil consumption by up to 1 million barrels a day in 2010. Fuel economy is now at its lowest point since 1980.

"OPEC has been in the driver's seat, and it's time for Congress to take back the keys. Reducing our demand for gasoline gives us greater control of our oil consumption. Lets use the same pragmatic technology that has brought us airbags to build better, more efficient vehicles. After all this isn't rocket science, but auto mechanics.

"The bipartisan Boelhert-Markey amendment to the House energy bill, Securing America's Future Energy Act of 2001, requires that SUVs, and other light trucks come under the same fuel efficiency standards as cars by increasing the miles per gallon rating to 27.5."

(Read Nemtzow's August 02 Statement on the defeat of Boelhert-Markey)

###

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national security.

Back to News Releases

Back to Media Page

This page was updated August 01, 2001

The Alliance to Save Energy
1200 18th Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202/857-0666    Fax: 202/331-9588
info@ase.org                     http://www.ase.org/