Raise CAFE Standards

Change Energy Diet — Raise CAFE Standards

The only way to solve the problem of global warming is to change the way we fuel the world.

Undersecretary of State Timothy Wirth, 1997

Increasing the fuel efficiency of automobiles is the single biggest step the United States can take to reduce consumption of fossil fuels. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) law, enacted in 1975, requires automobile companies to limit gas consumption and its accompanying pollution. Now the auto industry, responding to the consumer demand for larger cars, SUVs, minivans and pickups, is pushing bills and riders in Congress to lower the CAFE standards. These bills (H.R. 880 and S. 286 and a rider on the Transportation appropriations bill) would weaken the law by barring the Administration from proposing new standards.

Two years ago the US Senate voted to not ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change without the "significant participation" of developing nations in minimizing their own emissions under the first phase of the treaty. The Senate then passed a bill prohibiting the Clinton Administration from spending any money to secure such participation from developing nations.

Much of the opposition comes from the coal and oil industries and allies in automotive and heavy manufacturing who fear loss of profits from decreasing consumption of fossil fuels. Beyond the fossil fuel lobby is government's fear of offending voters if it takes bold measures to ensure a shift from the private automobile to public transport.

On the other hand, some energy companies acknowledge that the world must change its energy diet, and are beginning to position themselves to play prominent roles in a new energy economy.

The US Senate will soon be debating and voting on global warming and on the pollution spewing from gas guzzling cars and trucks. Under CAFE, cars must get 27.5 miles per gallon (based on a combined average for all models) and light trucks must get 20.7 miles per gallon. The technology is presently available to increase fuel economy without compromising safety, performance, style or size.

Senators Slade Gorton (R-WA), Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Richard Bryan (D-NV) have signed a bipartisan letter to President Clinton urging the president to work with concerned members of Congress to raise CAFE standards. Higher standards will reduce our dependence on foreign oil imports and decrease the pressure to drill in fragile ecosystems in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the California Outer Continental Shelf.

Concerned citizens — citizens, not consumers — should write, phone, fax or email their Senators and Representatives now, urging them to oppose lower CAFE standards, and to close the loophole that lets SUVs and other light trucks pollute more than cars. (US House of Representatives, zip 20515; US Senate, zip 20510) US Capitol Switchboard 202/ 224-3121.

Information from General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington DC 20002; 202/ 488-5600; gbcs@umc-gbcs.org

Information from EarthAction, 30 Cottage St., Amherst MA 01002; 413/ 549-8118; amherst@earthaction.org

Call to Action

Change Energy Diet — Raise CAFE Standards