House Stalls Bid to Increase Fuel Standards for SUVs
The House on Thursday thwarted an effort to force automakers to raise the fuel economy standards for SUVs and other vehicles as it moved toward approval of a sweeping energy bill.
Democrats from auto-producing states joined Republicans wary of government regulations to defeat the measure, which would have required the vehicles to meet an average standard of 30 miles per gallon by 2010.
Currently, fleets of light trucks -- including sport utility vehicles, minivans and pickups -- must meet an average of 20.7 miles per gallon, due to rise to 22.2 miles per gallon for the 2007 model year. The “corporate average fuel economy” for cars is 27.5 miles per gallon.
The 268-162 vote against the stricter rules came during a daylong debate on a Republican-drafted bill that, among other provisions, would provide $18 billion in tax breaks to encourage more energy production and conservation. House passage of the overall bill is expected, perhaps today, but some Democrats complained that the measure is tilted toward production over conservation.
As part of that criticism, Democrats sought to strip the bill of a provision that would open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration. That move was defeated, 228 to 197.
But since the Senate last month rejected drilling in the refuge, the provision is not expected to be included in the final version of any energy bill. Even drilling supporters concede the provision was put in the House bill for symbolic reasons.
In arguing for tougher fuel-efficiency standards, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) said that while U.S. troops are securing oil fields in Iraq, Hummers roam the streets of the United States consuming gas at the rate of 11 miles per gallon.
“We are at war with Iraq. We are told that we need to pass an energy bill in order to assure our energy security and our national security,” Markey said. “And yet, the bill in front of us does nothing to improve the fuel economy of the cars and SUVs we drive.”
“How can we be silent on fuel efficiency if this bill is going to accomplish anything at all?” asked Rep. Sherwood L. Boehlert (R-N.Y.).
Opponents argued that the tougher standards would lead to smaller, lighter and less-safe vehicles and would cost the U.S. auto industry jobs.
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) said mandating a tougher fuel standard would be comparable to “treating obesity by mandating smaller pant sizes.”
Twenty-nine Republicans joined 132 Democrats and one independent in supporting the tougher standards, while 71 Democrats joined 197 Republicans in opposing them.
In the Senate, which is expected to approve an energy bill next month, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) are pushing to require SUVs to meet the same fuel-efficiency standards as passenger cars by 2011.
