PIRG opposes the dirty, dangerous energy legislation that the House of Representatives will vote on this week. This legislation would enact portions of the Bush energy plan that would harm the environment, threaten public health and fail to help consumers.

For example, although Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards have been virtually stagnant for fifteen years, the legislation includes an imperceptible 1 mpg increase over six years. This amounts to savings of only one day's worth of oil each year. Instead, PIRG supports an amendment that Representatives Boehlert (D-NY) and Markey (DMA) will offer to close the loophole that lets light trucks meet lower miles per gallon standards than cars. Every year, this would save consumers $7.4 billion at the gas pump, avert 120 million tons of global warming pollution, and conserve 240 million barrels of oil.

A National Academy of Sciences (NAS) study concludes that the auto industry could meet higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Despite the industry-packed panel's reliance on auto industry consultants, the draft study called for an increase of 8-11 mpg in the next 6-10 years.

The final version, which lacks specific numbers, finds that "technologies exist that, if applied to passenger cars and light duty trucks, would significantly reduce fuel consumption within 15 years." The study also concludes "the car/truck distinction has been stretched well beyond the original purpose." In 1975, Congress set light trucks at a lower standard because they represented only 20% of vehicles on the road- they were used on farms and construction sites for heavy hauling. Today, half of all vehicles sold are light trucks, primarily SUVs, which are used like passenger cars. Overall auto fuel efficiency has fallen since 1988 as sales of inefficient light trucks increase.

Given these findings, U.S. PIRG calls on the House to close the light truck loophole. Auto industry lobbyists have fought to keep fuel economy standards stagnant for 25 years. It is time for Congress to ensure that available technology for raising fuel economy standards reaches the car-lot to save consumers money, cut global warming pollution, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.