What do you think about Congress' compromise on new US fuel efficiency standards?

Question

Congressional negotiators reached a deal late Friday on energy legislation that would force American automakers to improve the fuel efficiency of their cars and light trucks by 40 percent by 2020.

The proposal, which would require automakers to achieve 35 miles per gallon on average, is similar to a measure that was passed in the summer by the Senate but was bitterly opposed by the auto companies.

The compromise should ensure passage in the House, although the Senate may insist on changes. It does not appear to include provisions, like $16 billion in new taxes on the oil industry, that drew a veto threat from President Bush.

even if they meet the law’s mandate, the fuel efficiency of the American car fleet will still lag far behind that of other major industrialized countries.

European auto companies, for example, must average 40 mpg and China requires a 35 mpg standard.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/washington/01energy.html?th&emc=th

What do you think of these new standards?

Answer 1

I like the idea. Increasing cafe standards has historically improved average mileage without significantly hurting US sales and actually pushes innovation in new technology.

We really need to close the light truck exemption though. (trucks, SUV's etc, are exempt from the standard.)

Answer 2

Fuel conservation can never be legislated. It will always be an individual choice based upon the factors of price and necessity. If fuel were more expensive, there would come a point where people would not drive as fast, far or in such a large car. We are almost at that point in America, but have not yet reached critical mass to where the car manufacturers are offering more choices for fuel economy.

Answer 3

I think it is a good move. Fuel prices are going up and up now peak oil is in effect (I work in a commercial shipping company where you can really begin to feel the strain of rising prices) and in about a decade or so will seriously hit the pockets of the American public.

People opposing the move would soon enough be protesting the cost to run their Hummers in a few years.

I also agree with Lochlain's answer. We really should be pushing for alternatives as well.

Answer 4

Does it have intermediate targets before 2020?

If not, it's an all too typical Democratic cop out. We shouldn't have to wait 12 more years for this. And does it include SUVs and small pickups?

Not terribly ambitious, in any event. Especially if they get to include all-electrics in the average. As you point out, the rest of the world is ahead of us on this one.

I marvel at the guys who think America shouldn't be a world leader in this engineering. Forget global warming, it's short-sighted in the extreme. That's why people buy foreign cars, to get better engineering. How we have fallen from leadership in science and engineering is a disaster for America. What are we going to wind up doing, making toys for Chinese children?

Answer 5

There goes all the Hummers, other SUV's, Full size cars, Most trucks. It will be interesting to see what happens when the public sees the congress has said they don't care if you think a large car is safer. You will be forced to drive a little car.

There are relatively few cars getting over 35MPG.

This is gong to be fun to watch.

Answer 6

The original CAFE standards gave us the SUV market since trucks were not included. The end result of the congresses work is that the average fuel millage decreased.

This is called the Law of Unintended Consequences.

So let's just force SUV's to get unreasonable gas mileage. Soon auto companies will develop smaller versions of 18 wheeler truck cabs, giving us larger cars that are not covered by emission standards and CAFE standards.

The way to raise gas mileage is to get rid of CAFE standards and let the free market decide.

Answer 7

I think the whole idea of igmo conservationists trying to force us Americans to comply to the rest of the worlds standards is bullsh!t. Anybody that doesn't like our big cars and suv's needs to get the hell outta Dodge.

Answer 8

The Democrats have to compromise because they don't have 60 votes in the Senate.

Answer 9

I think we should stop worrying about petroleum-based systems, and move to alternatives. It would resolve more issues that just pollution.

Answer 10

You must remember that CONgress is the opposite of PROgress.