UPDATE - US lawmakers agree to trim vehicle gasoline
use
Date: 20-Sep-02
Country: USA
Author: Tom Doggett
But critics countered that such an amount would do little to
reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
The 5-billion-gallon reduction would have the effect of the
raising the average fuel economy by less than 1 mile per
gallon, according to Democrats who wanted much tougher
standards.
The new standard would affect sport utility vehicles, light
trucks and minivans built in 2006 through 2012. The plan
requires the Transportation Department to figure out how to
best meet the gasoline savings goal, such as boosting
economy standards or promoting alternative fuel vehicles.
Democratic Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts said it made
no sense for the United States to send soldiers to Iraq, but
not move to significantly raise vehicle mileage requirements
that would reduce oil imports from Iraq.
"The net result is ... we're not saying anything of any
significance about the importation of oil from the Middle
East," Markey said.
The United States is the biggest consumer of oil and oil
products in the world, using about 20 million barrels a day.
American drivers soak up an average 8.8 million barrels of
gasoline per day, with one barrel equal to 42 gallons. So
the 5 billion gallons in savings would equal 119 million
barrels of motor fuel, or about two weeks of U.S. gasoline
consumption.
Environmentalists and some Democrats had sought much
stricter mileage standards, especially for gas-guzzling
sport utility vehicles. Under rules adopted nearly 30 years
ago, the combined fuel efficiency of U.S. sport utility
vehicles, mini-vans and cars must be at least 24 miles per
gallon.
"As we prepare for the war in the Middle East, the Congress
is poised to enshrine our oil addiction as national policy,"
said Daniel Becker, who heads the Sierra Club's global
warming and energy program.
However, Republicans said the increase in fuel efficiency
standards was a significant step.
"This will tell Saddam Hussein: 'We don't need your oil,'"
said Rep. Billy Tauzin, a Louisiana Republican who chairs
the Senate and House negotiating panel.
Supporters of the gasoline savings plan said about 20
vehicles are already on the market with higher fuel
standards than required by federal law. "So the consumer has
choices," said Republican Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida.
Negotiators also agreed to drop a provision in the
Senate-passed energy bill that would have exempted pickup
trucks from future government-mandated increases in mileage
standards.
Lawmakers extended by four years to 2008 federal credits in
meeting mileage requirements for manufacturers of
dual-fueled vehicles that can run on corn-based ethanol and
traditional gasoline.
Environmentalists said the dual-fuel extension would allow
automakers to compensate for their less efficient vehicles
and would wipe out the 5 billion gallon in gasoline savings
because ethanol is not available in most parts of the
country.
For example, the dual-fuel loophole allows a 22
mile-per-gallon Ford Ranger to count as a 36 mpg vehicle
because it could use ethanol, even though there are only two
ethanol stations on the East Coast and none on the West
Coast.
Negotiators also rejected an amendment from Republican Sen.
Frank Murkowski of Alaska to restore Senate language that
would have required the federal government to consider the
effects higher mileage requirements would have on the safety
of vehicles and autoworkers' jobs.
Automakers contend that higher mileage standards would force
them to produce lighter vehicles that are less safe and more
expensive. Such vehicles would be unpopular with consumers
and autoworkers would be laid off, the companies said.
"When you begin to drop (vehicle) weight, you begin to
compromise safety," said Murkowski.
The Bush administration expressed "disappointment" with the
vote rejecting a review of auto safety and industry jobs.
"The president supports increasing fuel efficiency and doing
it