Since 1975, environmentalists and their allies have fought to raise fuel efficiency standards in new vehicles. On Tuesday, another attempt was made. Meanwhile, an academic think tank testifies for an alternative approach, albeit an unpopular one.
In March, the Bush administration raised the efficiency standard for light trucks by 1.8 miles by 2011, a move Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta called a "bold step forward".
"Many in Congress say the time has finally come, after about 30 years, to significantly boost the 27.5 mile-per-gallon Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard first set in 1977."
"The latest idea came Tuesday when Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, proposed a sharp increase of 10 miles a gallon by 2016."
"At stake in the debate is nothing less than the future price of gasoline and the growing world of alternative fuels, the fate of tens of thousands of auto manufacturing jobs and the chances for lessening the impact of automotive emissions on global warming."
Thanks to ABAG-MTC Library
FULL STORY: Administration, senators argue fuel strategies
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