‘Back on the Right Route’ to Fuel Efficiency and Clean Air

Your editorial “Back on the Right Route” (April 20) was a welcome challenge to improving auto miles per gallon rates. Our debilitating smog problem begins and ends in our gas tank, and better fuel economy means less noxious air pollution.

We on the Air Quality Management District Board of Directors are encouraged by the Bush Administration’s decision to reverse the previous course and re-establish Congress’ original Average Fuel Economy standard. After attaining the 27.5 m.p.g. standard in 1985, auto makers were granted four straight years of relaxed standards by the Reagan Administration, dropping as low as 26 m.p.g.

If the 27.5 m.p.g. standard had been maintained between 1986 and 1989, our nation would have saved 230,000 barrels of oil each day, totaling 3.35 billion barrels. Here in our air basin alone, the higher standards would have reduced emissions of reactive organic gases--a key ingredient in smog--by 182 tons a year, or a total of 728 tons.

But going back to 1985’s 27.5 m.p.g. standard is not enough of a challenge to auto makers. Raising the standard to 34 m.p.g. for 1995 is achievable and justifiable.

A higher fuel economy standard also would force auto makers to look seriously at less polluting alternative fuels. This is essential if this basin is ever to rid itself of unhealthful levels of air pollution.

We must wake up to the fact that this nation is running out of oil. The answer is not to become more dependent on unreliable foreign sources. The answer is not to drill in every park and on every ocean bluff and beach.

The common sense answer is to use what we have more wisely, through higher fuel economy standards than even the Bush Administration is now proposing, and to start using alternative fuels and technologies that are more abundant and less damaging to our environment.

MARVIN BRAUDE

Los Angeles City Councilman

AQMD Board Member