Clean Car Campaign

Action Alerts

Congress to Vote This Week on Energy Bill That Fails to Promote Auto Fuel Efficiency

Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives will cast votes on many provisions of a massive energy bill. These measures will be some of the most important environmental votes in Congress this year. This energy bill represents an endorsement of 19th century energy policy, and a rejection of 21st century capabilities and technologies. It panders to a small group of special interests, namely the mining, nuclear, automotive, oil and gas industries, and rejects energy solutions that would both protect the environment and consumers.

Many sections of this bill are objectionable, including:

a fuel efficiency (CAFE) loophole for SUVs allowing them to consume 33% more fuel than cars;
a tax credit for advanced technology vehicles that subsidizes inefficient, dirtier than average vehicles;
continued taxpayer subsidies for traditional, polluting energy industries, such as coal and oil; and
provisions that allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and on other public lands.

Utterly absent from the bill are strong measures that promote efficiency and cut pollution from cars and power plants.

Take action! Help us fight for cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars and trucks and a non-polluting energy future. Encourage your Representative to vote against the energy bill in its current form. Urge them to instead support the Markey Amendment closing the SUV loophole, and other amendments that are strong on conservation and reduce global warming emissions.

Background:

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE):

CAFE standards, passed during the 1970s oil crisis, helped reduce oil use through the 1980s. But CAFE standards have not kept pace with the auto market. Sales of SUVs and other light trucks have exploded, now representing 50% - 70% of the new vehicle market. Yet, light trucks still enjoy a CAFE loophole allowing them to consume 33% more fuel than cars, resulting in unprecedented fuel use in recent years.

Increased CAFE standards for all vehicles are feasible and affordable. New technologies are available to improve fuel economy without sacrificing comfort, safety, or performance. Studies show that a 50% improvement in fuel economy over the next decade is technically possible, paying for itself in fuel savings within the first few years of operation.

Tax Credit for Fuel Efficient Vehicles:

In April, a bill was introduced providing a tax credit to consumers who purchase or lease environmentally friendlier vehicles. The bipartisan bill, CLean Efficient Automobiles Resulting from Advanced Car Technologies (CLEAR ACT), was supported by several major automakers and environmental groups for its sharp focus on jump-starting the market for cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

With the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, leaders in Congress and the auto industry, however, have undercut the CLEAR ACT with amendments favoring the most inefficient vehicles, stripping air quality protections, and adding credits for diesel technology that could increase toxic air pollution.

Take action and fight for a clean and efficient energy future. For more information about cleaner car technologies, visit the Clean Car Campaign's website at http://www.cleancarcampaign.org .

Instructions to respond via the Web:

If you have access to a web browser, you can take action on this alert by going to the following URL:

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/energy_bill2/wseidb2y78xtdj