Clean Car Campaign

Clean Car Campaign Update - April 2003

The Slow Road to Fuel Efficiency: Government's Small Boost For SUVs Breaks No Speed Records

The federal government announced this week new increases in the fuel economy standard for "light trucks" (SUVs, mini-vans, and pick-ups) from 20.7 mpg to 22.2 mpg, to take effect between 2005 and 2007. While this fuel economy boost is better than nothing - the first noticeable increase in over a decade - this 1.5 miles-per-gallon improvement is not enough to meet America's urgent need to reduce oil consumption. It also fails to address the automotive sector's steadily growing contribution to global warming.

Thanks to the more than 30,000 e-mail activists who responded to an alert from the Clean Car Campaign and Environmental Defense in early February. Your letters asked the Department of Transportation (DOT) to reduce our nation's oil consumption by increasing the fuel economy standard (technically known as "Corporate Average Fuel Economy," or CAFE) for light trucks. Although we did not convince DOT to improve their proposed fuel economy increase, auto companies did fail in their efforts to weaken the rule.

Stay Tunes...
We expect DOT to propose reforms to the CAFE program later this Spring. Your letters to government officials urging real reductions in oil use and greenhouse gas emissions can make a difference in improving the fuel economy program. We will let you know when you can weigh-in again on this pressing issue.

Get The Facts:
More on DOT's weak new fuel economy rule, its impact on the environment, and technology options that car companies are ignoring at Environmental Defense online: http://actionnetwork.org/ct/n1qK_G61yqD6/environmentaldefense

Sign The Petition Againast Global Warming:
We need 1 million people to send a message to Congress urging action against global warming. Sign the Petition now: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/globalwarming_petition/wsgkgg4l783ji6

You Can Buy A More Fuel Efficient Car:
Visit the Clean Car Campaign online for tips and information on buying fuel efficient cars.

Spread the word about the Clean Car Campaign:
Over 100,000 people have taken the Clean Car Pledge showing auto companies that consumers want cleaner car options. More help is needed. Tell a friend!

The Clean Car Campaign is a unique coalition of national, state and regional organizations, including the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Ecology Center, Environmental Defense, Great Lakes United, Michigan Environmental Council and Union of Concerned Scientists.

Visit the Clean Car Campaign on the web: http://www.cleancarcampaign.org