Fuel economy bill is good for the U.S.

Re “The low road,” editorial, May 9

I take issue with your editorial on the Senate Commerce Committee’s passage of major legislation increasing the fuel economy of our nation’s vehicles.

The bill sets a clear, firm, achievable mandate to increase the fuel economy of new vehicles by 10 miles a gallon over 10 years -- and additional increases beyond that. This would be the largest such improvement in 25 years.

Because 60 votes are needed in the Senate for passage of any controversial measure, the committee added a tailored amendment to provide an “offramp” if the costs of making vehicles more fuel efficient outweigh the overall benefits to the nation. Without this provision, the bill would not have been approved in committee, let alone the full Senate.

I believe it is unlikely that this provision would ever be invoked. The reason: The concrete benefits -- significant fuel savings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and less dependence on foreign oil -- far outweigh the costs. This legislation should be signed into law.

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN

(D-Calif.)