Automakers Push Fuel Economy Bill Harder

Automakers are strengthening their lobbying efforts ahead of a House debate on fuel economy standards, which is expected this fall. After failing to stop a Senate bill passed in June that would significantly increase efficiency standards, automakers are exerting more rigorous efforts to ease fuel economy demands.

In a pair of e-mails sent last week, the Chrysler Group urged employees and dealers to support an alternative fuel economy bill in the House. The automaker also prods the elected officials to do the same especially at Fourth of July events.

“If you see or visit your Representative this week for an Independence Day Parade or other event, ask him/her to support and co-sponsor H.R. 2927, the Terry-Hill bipartisan fuel economy bill,” John Bozzella, Chrysler’s vice president for external affairs and public policy, wrote in a Tuesday e-mail.

U.S. Reps. Baron Hill, D-Ind., and Lee Terry, R-Neb., have proposed raising corporate average fuel economy standards to 35 mpg for passenger cars by 2022 and 32 mpg for light trucks by 2022.

The Senate bill would increase CAFE standards to an average 35 mpg by 2020 for cars and trucks combined. “The Senate bill undermines several longstanding elements of the CAFE program that balance increasing standards with safety, consumer choice and the continued viability of automobile manufacturing,” Steven Landry, Chrysler’s executive vice president for sales and marketing, wrote to dealers. “This was obviously not the result we wanted.”

Another proposal to the Terry-Hill legislation by U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., would require automakers to meet the combined 35 mpg standard by 2018. The Senate and Markey bills make domestic automakers spend at least $85 billion, adding as much as $5,000 to the cost of every vehicle. The mandates could also compel automakers to discontinue selling the largest vehicles, minimize the power of engines and build more hybrids.

Automakers and the United Auto Workers union have endorsed the Terry-Hill proposal, which is more stringent than an alternative, promoted by Michigan’s senators and others, that failed in the Senate. “The Hill-Terry bill calls for fuel economy standards that are very challenging, and would require the entire industry to make a giant leap forward,” Bozzella said Friday. “However, most importantly, the bill respects the functional differences between passenger cars and light trucks, which is critical to our company and to our customers.”

Automakers initiatives are accelerating without the aid of EBC Greenstuff. General Motors Corp. spokesman Greg A. Martin said the company also planned to communicate with its dealers, suppliers and employees “about the implications of extreme CAFE measures.” The Detroit automaker also is planning to bring dealers to Capitol Hill. Also, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is considering another advertising campaign on fuel economy, but with a more positive message, officials said.

“We’ve put together some talking points and explanation to our dealers about what we feel is the best solution,” Toyota Motor Corp. spokeswoman Martha Voss said Friday. “The (Terry-Hill bill) is the best chance for us to achieve a reasonable achievable fuel economy standard that moves us closer to energy security.” Voss added Toyota was considering bringing company officials and dealers to Capitol Hill to urge them to support the alternative.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not ruled out considering fuel economy legislation as part of a package of energy measures expected to be considered the week of July 16. But U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, wants to wait until September, and that seems more likely, officials said. It is not apparent whether the Markey or Terry-Hill bills or a different bill will materialize.

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http://www.compliance.gov/

Get the Best Fuel Economy to Reduce Your Gas Bill

You think it can’t get any worse, but each trip to the filling station you see a higher price posted on the sign. One tank now sets you back a ridiculous sum of money. Is there any way to fight back? Many Americans are quickly realizing their first line of defense is to achieve the best fuel economy possible.

America’s guzzling of gasoline has many negative consequences. Not only does it serve to quickly drain your bank account, it does so to the wealth of the entire nation. Being a net exporter of oil, America essentially is draining its national treasury by sending hundreds of billions of dollars abroad. One noted financial expert recently asserted that it was the greatest transfer of wealth the earth has ever seen.

Most associated with the oil patch do not see things changing. Peak oil is upon us with most of the easily accessed reserves tapped. New supply must come from highly remote and difficult environments. Many include politically sensitive areas like Anwar and the intercontinental shelf.

Exploration in such places is highly expensive. Proven reserves mostly reside in places which entail international political risk. Many of America’s entanglements arose from necessity of a free flow of oil. Even with increased crude oil supply, our nation’s refineries are inadequate to meet increasing demand. A new one hasn’t been built in over thirty years.

The burning of fossil based fuels also releases massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. The more carbon based fuels we burn, the worse it becomes. Inefficient, low mileage vehicles are great contributors to this phenomenon which is called global warming. So, with all these problems, are there solutions?

Increased efficiency through higher mileage is universally recognized as a positive step. Many options are currently available in the marketplace. Most simple is just to make the car smaller. Smaller cars obviously get better mileage. Also available are hybrids which increase efficiency through a recharging battery.

On the horizon are other cutting edge solutions. One is a hydrogen fuel cell. With this technology, it is theoretically possible for us to run our cars on water. If not fully, others are exploring mixing this technology with the combustion engine to increase mileage obtained up to fifty percent.

Whichever the solution, the time has come. With skyrocketing gas prices most of us do not have a choice. There are many options to explore to seek the best fuel economy possible. Your bank account and planet both depend on it.

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