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Auto Industry Plays The Safety Card
In a high-stakes showdown over proposed fuel-efficiency standards, the auto industry is playing its ace: the "safety" card. In radio ads and over the Internet, it's pushing a message that implies that tougher standards will force automakers to make smaller and lighter cars that are not as crashworthy as today's less-efficient models. That's a message that has worked before. But this time, as Congress is set to begin debate Wednesday over whether to boost Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for new cars and light trucks, some experts are not sure the argument holds water. (Mark Clayton, Christian Science Monitor, June 12, 2007)

Fuel economy standards must rise, Senate chief says
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid warned the auto industry Monday that the time for opposing tougher fuel economy standards had passed, as the Senate began debating a bill that would set a tough increase to 35 miles per gallon for cars and trucks by 2020. (Justin Hyde, Detroit Free Press, June 12, 2007)

Climate looks ripe for fuel-economy bills
Tougher fuel-economy rules, blocked for years by Detroit automakers, now stand their best chance of clearing Congress amid heightened concern about gas prices and global warming. "It will happen," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) predicted Monday. But that's not to say the fight is over. (Richard Simon, LA-Times, June 12, 2007)

Congress Turns to Energy, and Lobbyists Arrive
Having tried and failed to overhaul the nation's immigration laws last week, Congress begins what some say is an even more divisive project this week: taming America's thirst for oil. With gasoline prices hovering near all-time highs, the Senate on Monday began debating a sprawling energy bill that has already kicked off an epic lobbying war by huge industries, some of them in conflict with one another. (Edmund L. Andrews, NY Times, June 12, 2007)

Reid offers course for energy independence
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yesterday opened debate on energy legislation by blaming President Bush for skyrocketing gasoline prices and pledging Democrats would break U.S. dependence on foreign oil. "On the president's watch, the cost of gas and home heating has doubled," Mr. Reid, Nevada Democrat, said in a speech at the Center for American Progress, a liberal Washington think tank. "It is time for bold steps and big ideas. Time for innovation," he said. (S.A. Miller, Washington Times, June 12, 2007)

Senate, House Turn Focus to Energy Bills
With U.S. gasoline prices near record levels, the Senate is to take up an energy bill today that Democratic leaders hope will be a rallying point for voters concerned about national security and climate change as well as pump prices. The measure includes efforts to boost automobile fuel efficiency for the first time in a generation, require a fivefold increase in biofuel use, institute tough penalties for price gouging, and set higher efficiency standards for appliances, lighting and buildings. (Steven Mufson, Washington Post, June 12, 2007)

In drive for climate bill, Reid is all energy
To what extent the climate has changed on Capitol Hill under Democratic control may become clearer this week as the Senate debates energy policy, a topic that has tied previous Congresses in knots. With the backdrop of high gasoline prices and the growing worry about global warming, Senate Democratic leaders are pushing a bill to reduce demand for oil by raising fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks and requiring utilities to get more of their electricity from "climate friendly" renewable sources like wind and solar power. (Jim Snyder, The Hill, June 12, 2007)

Majority leader: Senate will adopt tough mpg rules
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vowed Monday to quickly pass a massive increase in average fuel economy standards, saying the debate is "over." His comments came as the Senate takes up a Democratic bill that would raise CAFE standards for new cars and trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, with 4 percent increases annually after that.   (David Shepardson, Detroit News, June 12, 2007)

Democrats urged to pass energy bill
Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate majority leader, on Monday called on his colleagues to enact a bill this week that would reduce US oil consumption by 4m barrels a day by 2020 - about a fifth of current consumption. But Mr Reid appeared to water down earlier Democratic commitments to push for early passage of a US economy-wide carbon cap and trade system that would deal with global warming. (Edward Luce, Financial Times, June 11, 2007)

Senate to take up bill to cut gasoline demand
The Senate will begin debate this week on legislation to reduce America's gasoline demand by increasing the fuel economy of cars and trucks and boosting the use of non-petroleum fuels like ethanol, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) said on Monday. The bill tackles gasoline demand -- the biggest share of the 21 million barrels of oil the United States consumes each day, most of which has to be imported. (Tom Doggett, Reuters, June 11, 2007)

Senate Energy Plan Debate Set to Begin
The U.S. Senate is set to tackle a comprehensive energy policy proposal this week as Democratic leaders aim to keep their campaign promise to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. Debate on the wide-ranging energy bill is likely to begin Monday evening with the first votes expected as early as Tuesday. In considering the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007, senators will debate a range of energy issues that could impact electric utilities, oil companies, automobile makers and ethanol producers. (Associated Press, June 11, 2007)

Auto Execs Discuss Mileage With Congress
The heads of Detroit's auto industry asked Congress on Wednesday to reconsider a proposal to increase fuel standards that the automakers say could hurt their industry. The leaders of General Motors, Ford and the Chrysler Group discussed the impact of health care, trade and energy policies on their companies, and asked House and Senate leaders to look at alternatives to a proposed overhaul of Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for vehicles. During a luncheon with Senate Democrats, it was evident they face hurdles. (Ken Thomas, Associated Press, June 6, 2007)

Carbon-Dioxide Output Outstrips Expectations
The rate of carbon-dioxide emissions from global industry has accelerated in recent years, outstripping even the highest earlier projections, a new study has found. Carbon-dioxide emissions are believed to be a major factor behind a significant warming of the planet since the Industrial Revolution. The latest research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that such emissions are growing fastest in China, India and other developing countries that are burning large amounts of coal and other fossil fuels to feed rapid economic growth. (Gautam Naik, Wall Street Journal, May 21, 2007)

America's rising consumption of oil threatens the economy and national security.
America spends more than $200,000 per minute on foreign oil -- $13 million per hour. More than $25 billion a year goes for Persian Gulf imports alone. This NRDC analysis considers oil demand and supply projections and how our current policy of oil dependence effects our economy and security. (NRDC, June 2007)

Editorials

Strong CAFE Needed
When it comes to corporate average fuel economy standards -- CAFE -- the Senate's massive energy bill strikes a reasonable position. All cars and light trucks, up to 10,000 pounds, should have a CAFE of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Each year after that until 2030, CAFE would increase 4 percent over the previous year.…the Senate energy bill's more stringent CAFE measure must prevail. (Washington Post, June 20, 2007)

Crunch Time on Energy
The Senate will tell us this week whether it really wants to do something about oil dependency and global warming or if it is just fooling around. The first week of debate on an energy bill, which the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, says he is determined to finish before the Fourth of July recess, produced a few satisfying moments…The days ahead will be more combative…the entire energy discussion this year is more forward-looking than it has been for some time. It will be up to the leadership to keep it that way. (New York Times, June 19, 2007)

Congress Should Insist on Fuel-Efficient Cars
Fuel economy standards for cars and trucks have not been upgraded since 1975. They must be now. New Hampshire Sens. Judd Gregg and John Sununu should vote yes on the higher standards on the table in the Senate and reject the auto industry's low-octane substitutes. They should do so to save the lungs of their constituents, free America's economy from the grip of hostile oil-producing nations, keep consumers from driving their way to the poorhouse, increase security for the United States and its troops, and rescue America's auto industry from self-inflicted irrelevance. (Concord Monitor, NH, June 18, 2007)

Revive the Energy Bill
The Senate should jump-start the energy bill that stalled Thursday. It should also ensure that legislation isn't compromised in a manner that undermines its essential aim of promoting significant advances in alternative energy development, conservation and motor-vehicle fuel efficiency… Both chambers of Congress should make this issue a top priority… (The Post & Courier, SC, June 17, 2007)

The Big Stall
Leaders from the Big Three U.S. automakers are arguing against even minimal improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency. Their foot-dragging is costing consumers a large chunk of change and endangering the competitiveness of American automobile companies… The cost of gasoline and the knowledge that America needs to reduce its dependence on foreign oil means U.S. consumers want more fuel-efficient cars. U.S. automakers should quit fighting reality and prepare to meet their customers’ demands. (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN, June 17, 2007)

Congress Must Drive Change on Fuel Economy
With so many Americans fuming about gas prices, it's high time to demand that Congress take action. Motorists need more control over how much and what type of fuel they use. They need better choices in alternate fuels and fuel-efficient vehicles…The energy bill of 2007 must be a vehicle for greater fuel economy and speedier innovation in cleaner alternative fuels, including biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol. (Billings Gazette, MT, June 17, 2007)

Hold the Line
The long knives of the auto industry are out to weaken the new fuel efficiency standards in the energy bill now before Congress. But the automakers have resisted any changes in the standard for cars for 18 years, and they should not be rewarded now for belatedly coming to the table with a compromise…The technology exists, so there's no good reason to relax the standards proposed in the original bill. (Salt Lake Tribune, UT, June 16, 2007)

Serious energy reform
After Being Battered on immigration reform last week, congressional Democrats could use a win. They have a chance for a big one this week as the Senate takes up a comprehensive energy package that could be the most environmentally responsible move from the federal government in six years under President Bush. Or it could be buried under a pile of harmful amendments. (Los Angeles Times, June 12, 2007)

Focus Energy Bill on Conservation, Research
Most provisions in the Senate bill appear sound, but hardly visionary. And the fear is they might be further weakened before adoption. Here are some provisions to pull for … The Senate bill would require a nationwide average of 35 miles per gallon for passenger cars and light trucks by 2020, a jump of more than 10 mpg from cars sold last year. (Des Moines Register, IA, June 11, 2007)

Jolly Green Senator
Actually, the more effective approach would be to increase the fuel efficiency of all American cars. Congress can do that in the near future, as it debates energy legislation. The automakers are trying to kill real change, but they have no case." (Long Island Newsday, NY, June 11, 2007)

Better Mileage Secures U.S.
American automakers appeared before Congress Wednesday, pleading for a halt to plans to jack up fuel efficiency standards. This time, Congress must say no … The Senate is taking up a measure far more ambitious and worthwhile; it would raise the average to 35 mpg by 2020 and do so incrementally. A number of studies, including one from the National Academy of Sciences, have found these targets can be achieved in cost-effective and safe ways, despite the industry's arguments. (Poughkeepsie Journal, NY, June 11, 2007)

Directing Detroit
Fortunately, Congress is finding its backbone after 20 years of letting Detroit have its way. This week, the Senate is expected to take up legislation to boost fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. The proposal is long overdue, and, in a sign of how times have changed, Detroit is having trouble scaring legislators with the threat of closed plants and lost jobs. The biggest reason? Those jobs and plants have already been lost, thanks to carmakers who saw the future early. (San Francisco Chronicle, June 11, 2007)

Getting GM to Stretch
The nation that determined to send a man to the moon within a decade in the 1960s is capable of increasing automobile fuel efficiency by 10 miles per gallon in the next 13 years. If that's unachievable, then we might as well cede the automobile business to Japan. (Hartford Courant, CT, June 10, 2007)

Quality Up; Now Mileage

Now Ford and the other big U.S. auto makers, General Motors and Chrysler, must apply that same discipline to the next challenge: making their vehicles more fuel efficient. But instead, the chief executives of those three companies were in Washington last week, arguing against tougher fuel economy standards. (Louisville Courier-Journal, KY, June 10, 2007)

Taking Congress for a Ride
A bipartisan Senate proposal would raise the average efficiency for cars and light trucks from 25 to 35 miles per gallon over the next decade. This isn't unreasonable; the National Academy of Sciences concluded in 2002 that a gradual increase to 37 mpg would be both cost effective and safe. U.S. automakers are pushing weaker, loophole-filled proposals. They're trying to take Congress for a ride. (Orlando Sentinel, FL, June 10, 2007)

New Outlook on Energy
The Senate, for example, is expected to vote next week on a bill that would require auto manufacturers to increase the average fuel economy of their cars and trucks about 10 miles per gallon by 2020, and achieve increases of 4 percent a year for the decade after that. This would greatly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases…The bills in the House and Senate are signs that the people we send to Congress - not the fossil-fuel industries and auto manufacturers - might now be back in charge of the nation's energy policies. (Las Vegas Sun, NV, June 9, 2007)

Kneecapping California
There is a bald attempt in Congress to short-circuit California's effort to regulate tailpipe emissions -- with Democrats leading the charge. A bill from the chairman of the House energy and air quality subcommittee, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va. -- or is that D-Big Coal?), would halt recent moves by states to limit the emission of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. He insists, "This is not an attack on California." Color us unconvinced. (Washington Post, June 8, 2007)

Going Apoplectic at the Gas Pump
Rage could be directed at Washington, because the Bush administration and Congress have yet to adopt a substantial, comprehensive, mandatory increase in fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, TX, June 8, 2007)

Slaughtering the Detroit Hogs
Just how long does the industry need to react to energy challenges that date back to the 1970s? How long should Congress wait before automakers take major, not incremental, steps to offset climate change, promote energy security and ease the financial burden at the gas pump? (Lakeland Ledger, FL, June 8, 2007)

Jeff, Pete, Hold Firm
Yesterday [automakers] were pleading their case against what are called CAFE standards. Raising Corporate Average Fuel Economy for years has been a major goal of environmentalists, consumerists and many others who think more efficient automobiles are overdue. No, no, no, say General Motors, Ford and Chrysler; we can’t do it ... But you already have done it, comes the response — most notably when the Honda Civic engine showed you the way in the 1970s ... (Santa Fe New Mexican, June 7, 2007)

Bluster on the Hill
Congress should mandate much tougher fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks …The Senate Commerce Committee last month approved a bill that would raise mileage requirements by 40 percent by 2019. By 2020, that should cut projected oil consumption by 2.1 million barrels a day, roughly the amount we now import, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions significantly. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 6, 2007)

Quotes From Experts/Leaders On Energy

Consumer Groups Support Democratic Energy Plan
As the Senate debates comprehensive energy legislation (S. 1419), we write to draw your attention to two provisions of the bill that are particularly important for consumers. The bill will significantly increase fuel economy standards for all passenger vehicles, including light trucks and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). Increasing the fuel efficiency of the vehicle fleet is the single most important thing Congress can do to end our nation’s dangerous addiction to oil, lower consumers’ gasoline bills, protect our economy from oil shocks, reduce our dependence on hostile and unstable regimes, and cut emission of gases that cause global warming. (Consumer Federation of America & Consumers Union Joint Letter, June 13, 2007)

Kateri Callahan: Alliance to Save Energy
The energy efficiency provisions in the Senate energy bill will save energy, save Americans money, reduce global warming and air pollution, and reduce our dependence on oil. The appliance efficiency standards alone should save 50 billion kilowatt-hours a year, enough to power 5 million homes, and additional natural gas and water, while saving consumers $12 billion. The CAFE standard provision would require the first significant increase in the fuel economy of our cars and trucks in decades.” (Alliance to Save Energy, June 11, 2007)

Daniel J. Weiss: Center for American Progress
Senator Harry Reid’s speech exemplifies his leadership in the fight for energy independence to stop global warming. His action stands in stark contrast to President Bush’s massive resistance to energy efficiency and global warming measures at last week’s G8 Summit in Germany. (Center for American Progress, June 11, 2007)

Governor’s Ethanol Coaltion Praises Energy Independence Act
The 36-member Governors’ Ethanol Coalition today strongly praised the Energy Independence Act – S. 1419 – a merger of four bipartisan U.S. Senate energy bills sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. The bill requires a major increase in the use of renewable fuels in America, and reflects recommendations released by the Governors earlier this year intended to reduce America’s dependence on imported oil, to cut global warming gases, and to create new jobs in renewable fuels across the country. (Governor’s Ethanol Coalition, June 11, 2007)