BushenFührer Decided CAFE Standards on Gas being $2.42 a gallon in 2016

[Ichingcarpenter]

WASHINGTON - With consumers paying $4-plus a gallon for gasoline, House Democrats said Thursday that the Bush administration's estimate for future gas prices needs an overhaul.

When the government issued its proposal to raise vehicle fuel economy standards to a fleetwide average of 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015, the plan assumed that gas prices would be $2.42 a gallon in 2016.

"When compared to today's prices at the pump, these numbers are nothing short of absurd," said Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., who leads a House panel on energy independence and global warming.

Congress last year required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to set fuel economy standards at the "maximum feasible" level each year, reaching a minimum of 35 mpg by 2020, a 40 percent increase over current standards.

Tyler Duvall, a Transportation Department assistant secretary, acknowledged that the prices seem "somewhat off" but said the agency uses the best available estimates in the face of unpredictable gasoline prices.

"There's little question given current fuel prices that we're in a very volatile environment right now," Duvall said. He noted the agency would consider the comments it receives on the plan.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-mi-fueleconomy,0,5906535.story

[Vickers]

1. "Many in this Congress seem to be focused on bankrupting this industry"

That is a quote from Rep. Candice Miller, regarding the auto industry.

Remember how Honda went out of business selling their fuel-efficient cars?

:eyes:

[Vickers]

2. P.S. She's a Republican.

:P