[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Schumer, Ms. 
        Collins, and Mr. Reed):
  S. 804. A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to require 
phased increases in the fuel efficiency standards applicable to light 
trucks; to require fuel economy standards for automobiles up to 10,000 
pounds gross vehicle weight; to raise the fuel economy of the Federal 
fleet of vehicles, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I am very pleased today to be joined 
by Senator Olympia Snowe to introduce this important legislation to 
gradually phase-in the fuel efficiency standards for SUVs and light 
duty trucks by 2007.
  I would also like to thank the other cosponsors: Senators Charles 
Schumer, Susan Collins and Jack Reed.
  Put simply, this is the single most effective action we can take to 
limit our reliance on foreign oil, save consumers at the pump, and 
reduce global warming.
  Today, the U.S. has 4 percent of the world's population, yet we use 
25 percent of the planet's energy.
  So as the world's largest energy consumer, I believe it is our 
responsibility to make every effort to be the world's leader in 
conservation.
  Specifically, the results of this bill would be substantial. It 
would: Save America one million barrels of oil a day; reduce oil 
imports by 10 percent; and prevent 240 million tons of carbon dioxide 
emissions from entering the atmosphere--this is the single biggest 
cause of Global Warming.
  Today, the fuel economy standard for passenger vehicles is 27.5 miles 
per gallon, while the standard for SUVs and light duty trucks is 20.7 
miles per gallon due to a loophole in the 1975 law.
  The result: SUVs and light trucks now comprise nearly half of new car 
sales, bringing the average fuel economy of all the nation's new 
vehicles to its lowest point since 1980.
  The Feinstein-Snowe legislation would: Phase in fuel economy 
standards for SUVs and all other light duty trucks on the following 
schedule: By 2002, SUVs and light duty vehicles must average 22.5 miles 
per gallon; by 2005, SUVs and light duty vehicles must average 25 miles 
per gallon; and by 2007, SUVs and light duty vehicles must average 27.5 
miles per gallon; require that vehicles up to a weight of 10,000 pounds 
must qualify for fuel efficiency standards by 2007. The current limit 
is 8,500 pounds; increase the fuel economy of new vehicles comprising 
the federal government fleet by 6 miles per gallon by 2005.
  Last year, former Senators Slade Gorton, Richard Bryan and I fought 
an uphill battle to try and find a way to increase these fuel economy 
standards.
  But, we were stymied by the auto industry and their supporters in 
Congress.
  Ultimately, at the end of the session, we reached an agreement that 
directed the National Academy of Sciences to study whether, in fact, we 
could raise fuel efficiency with sacrificing safety or competitiveness.
  Recently, the automakers have said that they will not actively oppose 
increases in fuel efficiency standards.
  The Big Three manufacturers have promised a voluntary increase in 
efficiency for SUVs by 25 percent by 2005.
  This is an important step forward, but we need to do more. I believe 
this bill is the best way to do that.
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