LCV Points Out Flaws in NHTSA Authority Over CAFE Increase
Seth Slabaugh April 3, 2002

MUNCIE,IN--Green groups were disappointed when Sen. Richard Lugar, a Republican, and Sen. Evan Bayh, a Democrat, voted last month against raising corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards to 36 miles a gallon by 2015 for cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles. The approach supported by Bayh and Lugar returns authority for CAFE standards to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But according to the League of Conservation Voters, NHTSA has failed to effectively implement fuel economy regulations for the last 25 years and has never fined a U.S. manufacturer for failing to meet CAFE standards. Meanwhile, Lugar remains undecided on the issue of opening Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to gas and oil drilling. Bayh continues to oppose it.