reducing our dependence on fossil fuels?? / Thanks Kathy G.
Senate rejects better mileage for gas guzzlers
May 18, 2005
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Energy Committee on Wednesday rejected a Democratic plan to require sport utility vehicles and minivans to become more fuel efficient and achieve the same gasoline mileage as passenger cars in six years.
Under the failed proposal, SUVs and other light trucks would have to meet the same 27.5 mile-per-gallon rule for passenger cars by 2011, up from a current 21 mpg for light trucks.
Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California tried to add the plan to a broad energy bill being debated by the committee. The panel voted against it, 15 to 7.
Supporters said closing the so-called "SUV loophole" would reduce U.S crude oil imports, cut down on polluting emissions spewed by vehicles and save consumers money at the pump.
Opponents said imposing a higher fuel standard would place further burdens on U.S. automakers that are already suffering financially, endangering thousands of high-paying jobs. They also said the government should not dictate what vehicles consumers buy.
"I think mothers and fathers can make those decisions themselves," said Republican George Allen of Virginia.
However, Feinstein pointed out that consumers are on waiting lists to buy more fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles made by Japanese automakers, while U.S. companies are stuck with growing inventories of gas-guzzling SUVs.
"They (U.S. automakers) have essentially refused to listen to the marketplace," she said. "Toyota is going to eat their lunch."
Ford Motor Co and General Motors Corp. have seen demand for their once highly-profitable SUVS plunge in recent months as retail gasoline prices rose to record highs.
Chairman Pete Domenici of New Mexico said another provision in the bill would require the president to find ways to cut U.S. oil demand by 1 million barrels per day by 2015.
U.S. oil demand averages about 21 million barrrels per day, with imports accounting for 3 out of every 5 barrels consumed. Gasoline use makes up 40 percent of total oil demand.
Separately, Domenici said he expects lawmakers to offer an amendment to the energy bill to boost annual ethanol production possibly to 8 billion gallons. The corn-based additive, which has broad support among lawmakers from farm states, helps stretch U.S. gasoline supplies and makes fuel burn cleaner.
Energy legislation passed by the U.S. House recently would set an annual ethanol mandate of 5 billion gallons by 2012.
On Wednesday, the Senate committee approved provisions in the energy bill related to coal, hydrogen, and energy research and development. The bill would provide $200 million annually for nine years to promote clean coal technologies.