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Business Brokerage Yesterday, the Sierra Club submitted comments in response to the Bush Administration's proposed changes to Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (CAFE) - the nation's most successful oil savings law.

"He's coming out with this now, because the initiative is about to be introduced, " said Carl Zichella, Sierra Club regional staff director for California, Nevada and Hawaii. The Sierra Club has not yet endorsed the initiative, but is likely to do so, he said. Efforts like the governor's proposal may come too late, he said.

Forex Broker These proposed changes, issued through the Department of Transportation, would weaken existing fuel economy standards. 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. In addition to its official comments, the Sierra Club delivered 16,000 postcards calling on Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta to raise CAFE standards to 40 miles per gallon within ten years. Taking this step would save more oil than the U.S. currently imports from the entire Persian Gulf or could ever take out of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, combined.

One of Senator Jeffords' most recent acts of environmental leadership is his effort to clean up America's air through the Clean Power Act. This bill reflects a good approach to reducing air pollution and is in sharp contrast to President Bush's inadequate "Clear Skies Initiative." President Bush's proposal is a risky scheme that won't help communities protect their families and the planet from asthma, acid rain, or global warming pollution. Instead, it will weaken the Clean Air Act.

Online Brokerage "The Bush administration's proposal will cost consumers more at the pump, increase our oil dependence, and increase pollution," said Daniel Becker, Director of Sierra Club's Global Warming and Energy Program.. "It's time for the Bush administration to stop making it easier for irresponsible automakers to get around these necessary standards."

The Bush administration said today that it would raise fuel economy regulations for light trucks S.U.V.'s, pickups and minivans by 1.5 miles a gallon, or about 4.5 percent, by the 2007 model year. The administration called the plan, which has been working its way through the regulatory system for several months, one of the biggest fuel economy increases in years. Environmental groups criticized it as a minuscule step at a time when gas consumption is a national security issue.

Real Estate Broker The Bush Administration's proposed changes to Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (CAFE) would 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.

This means communities will have even less resources for fire protection than promised them when the President signed the bill last year. We opposed "Healthy Forests, " but it is now the law. The Bush administration and timber industry got the bill they wanted, and it fails to protect communities from wildfire. The administration's funding proposals show that the Bush administration is not prepared to back up its community protection rhetoric with resources and action.

Agency Brokerage Spark 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.

The confidential proposal, submitted by the meat industry last summer, would provide animal factories the opportunity to enter a "safe harbor agreement" with the Bush administration. Under the agreement, in by consenting to possible monitoring of air emissions. In return, the larger animal factories would receive amnesty from enforcement for Clean Air Act or Superfund violations. The agreement would also protect smaller animal factories, with no risk of monitoring. But the proposal is riddled with problems,

Business Broker Auto companies already add weight to trucks to place them over the current 8500 pound weight, which exempts them from CAFE standards. SUVs such as the Hummer, Suburban, Tahoe, and Excursion weigh 8600 pounds or more to utilize this loophole. By creating more truck weight classes, automaker will have new opportunities to fatten their vehicles to take advantage of weaker standards.

Brokerage Account "The Bush administration is proposing to manipulate the law to benefit auto and oil industry polluters," said Becker. "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."

Stock Broker There is a better way. Instead of weakening existing standards, the Bush Administration should be putting American innovation to work by requiring automakers to make all of their vehicles - from sedans, to SUVs, to pickup trucks - go farther on a gallon of gas. The technology exists today to make all new vehicles average 40 miles per gallon within ten years. Taking this step would save consumer's money at the gas pump, cut America's oil dependence, and curb global warming.

Brokerage Online Stock Trading Copies of Sierra Club's submitted comments are available upon request.

Broker Justin Ticket CONTACT:
Brian O'Malley 202-675-6279

Real Estate Brokerage Sierra Club - 4/28/2004

Topic: Transportation

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