Feds may crack down on SUV gas guzzlers

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_3770.shtml

The Bush administration is looking at making larger SUVs, such as the Hummer H2, Ford Excursion and Chevrolet Suburban, and large pickup trucks comply with federal fuel economy standards for the first time.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration also said Monday it is seeking comments on whether to change the definitions of cars and light trucks. Most sport utility vehicles now fall under the classification of light trucks, although they are used primarily as passenger vehicles. Heavier vehicles, such as the Hummer H2, weigh more than 8,500 pounds and are exempt from fuel standards.

"This marks the beginning of an important national dialogue," Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said. "We can and must work together to save more fuel, increase passenger safety and protect American jobs."

<snip>

Because so many motorists are buying SUVs, the average fuel economy for all 2003 model vehicles on the road was 20.8 mpg, down 6 percent from the peak year of 1988, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

1. Too Late

unless you make all the ones on the road compliant.

[OrAnarch]

2. the average fuel economy for all 2003 model vehicles on the road was 20.8

Im disgusted by such regression.

[koopie57]

15. If it wasn't for those who would have a tough time

making ends meet, after reading this I wouldn't mind seeing gas go up to $5.00 a gallon. On the other hand, Bush is giving tax cuts to all those buying these types of vehicles, he just might have something like that in mind.

[pinto]

3. what's the "protect American jobs" (Mineta) angle?...n/t

[hatrack]

4. Yes, and monkeys may fly out of my butt

Don't hold your breath waiting for action on this front.

[reprehensor]

5. Yeah right.

In fact, the Bush administration has leveraged tax exemptions for small businesses to BUY and get on the road, $100,000 vehicles. About the price of the average Hummer.

[Tinoire]

13. You beat me to it! Would be a good start to ax the tax break first

Totally agree! :toast:

The hypocritical games are stunning!

[MaineDem]

6. I won't believe this til it happens

They tried to get this through the Senate but it wouldn't fly.

More Administration rhetoric with nothing behind it.

[tom_paine]

7. They lie so casually, don't they?

Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it, Busheviks and NOT BEFORE.

Sounds like more phony Moderate-Looking Plumage for our Boy-Peacock Emperor*.

But it's just another Bushevik lie to go with the other 10,000.

[DUreader]

8. Sierra Club:Weight-Based Proposal To Increase Pollution and Oil Dependence

http://www.commondreams.org/news2003/1222-09.htm


Bush Administration Proposes
Fuel Economy Changes - New
Weight-Based Proposal To
Increase Pollution and Oil
Dependence

WASHINGTON - December 22 - The Bush administration today proposed changes
that could weaken the nation's most successful oil-saving law. The administration's
new proposal will make it easier for auto companies to qualify gas-guzzling SUVs and
other "light" trucks for weaker fuel economy standards. Taking this step would lead to
increased pollution and U.S. oil dependence.

"The Bush administration is proposing to manipulate the law to benefit auto and oil
industry polluters," said Daniel Becker, Director of Sierra Club's Global Warming and
Energy Program. "The loophole the Bush administration proposes to close may move
us one step forward, but the one they propose to open for the auto industry will likely
move us three steps back."

The Bush Administration's proposed changes to Corporate Average Fuel Economy
Standards (CAFE) would to close a loophole that exempts 8500 pound to 10,000
pound trucks from CAFE standards. However, the proposal would create an incentive
for automakers to add weight to their other trucks, qualifying them for weaker
standards. The proposal would create more truck weight classes, with different fuel
economy standards for each classification.

Currently, CAFE standards only address two automotive classes: cars and light
trucks (SUVs, pickups and vans). The Bush administrations proposal would divide the
light truck fleet into additional classes with different fuel economy standards for each
class.

[TreasonousBastard]

9. There's always a catch, isn't there?

[Eric J in MN]

10. thanks DUReader

Yet another scam from Bush, like the Medicare bill.

[ParticipatoryDem]

20. Leaving bush out of it for a minute...

Weight has everything to do with fuel mileage. Not even the Sierra club can ignore physics.

[Gloria]

11. How about EMISSIONS standards....are they included in this newly found

environmentalism???

[pinniped]

14. I dunno about that but 300,000 acres of Alaskan wilderness isn't included.

in the stupid POS pres newly found fake-ass environmentalism.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=283327

[hatrack]

17. Don't worry! Millions of hydrogen fuel cell cars are on the way!

No, really! Seriously!
Honest - all we need is about 20 years and a few billion more in free money for Detroit!

Hey! Where's everybody going?

[pinto]

12. damn, another save the forest, cut it down initiative....n/t

[pfitz59]

16. Local hate radio (KVI 570 AM) running ads....

promoting tax write-off for gas-guzzlers! When Shrub rescinds tax cut for SUVs I'll believe Feds care!

[are_we_united_yet]

18. Now that W and cronies have safely pocketed oil/gas profits

[revcarol]

19. When pigs fly!!

Whoops, is that a pig NORAD is tracking tonight?